smallness

UK //ˈsmɔːlnəs//US //ˈsmɔːlnəs//

词源

源自中古英语 'smalnesse'，由 'small'（小的）加后缀 '-ness'（表示状态或性质）构成。

❶ 指物体或事物的体积、尺寸或数量上的微小状态，强调与常规或预期相比显得不足或有限。

“The smallness of the apartment made it difficult to fit all our furniture.”

（公寓的小巧使得我们很难放下所有的家具。）

“She was surprised by the smallness of the portions at the expensive restaurant.”

（她对这家昂贵餐厅的小份量感到惊讶。）

❶ 指重要性、影响力或价值上的微不足道，常带有贬义或轻视的意味。

“The smallness of his actions showed a lack of ambition.”

（他行为的微不足道显示出缺乏雄心。）

“She was frustrated by the smallness of their concerns compared to global issues.”

（与全球问题相比，他们关注的小事让她感到沮丧。）

同义词:tininess, minuteness, insignificance, petiteness, littleness

feel the smallness — 指在广阔或宏大的环境中感到自身的渺小或微不足道，常用于形容自然景观或宇宙的震撼。

“Standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, I felt the smallness of human existence.”

（站在大峡谷的边缘，我感受到了人类存在的渺小。）