
sprawling
词源
源自古英语'spræwlian',意为'扭动'或'伸展',与古挪威语'sprækla'(伸展四肢)有关。
adjective
❶ 形容某物(如城市、建筑或植物)无序地大面积扩展或蔓延,通常显得杂乱无章或占用过多空间。
“The sprawling city stretched as far as the eye could see.”
(这座无序扩展的城市一眼望不到尽头。)
“She lived in a sprawling mansion with dozens of rooms.”
(她住在一座拥有数十个房间的庞大豪宅里。)
❶ 形容人四肢摊开、懒散地躺着或坐着,显得放松或不拘束。
“He was sprawling on the couch watching TV.”
(他四肢摊开躺在沙发上看电视。)
“The cat lay sprawling in the sun.”
(那只猫懒洋洋地摊开四肢晒太阳。)
verb
❶ 指人或动物四肢摊开地躺、坐或倒在地上,通常显得放松或无力。
“He sprawled on the floor after tripping over the rug.”
(他被地毯绊倒后四肢摊开趴在地上。)
“The exhausted dog sprawled in the shade.”
(那只精疲力尽的狗摊开四肢躺在阴凉处。)
❶ 指城市、建筑或植物等无序地向四周扩展或蔓延。
“The metropolis has sprawled into the surrounding countryside.”
(这座大都市已无序扩展到周边乡村。)
“The ivy sprawled across the old stone wall.”
(常春藤在古老的石墙上蔓延生长。)
常见短语
urban sprawling — 指城市无序扩张的现象,通常导致土地利用效率低下和交通问题。
“Urban sprawling has become a major challenge for city planners.”
(城市无序扩张已成为城市规划者的主要挑战。)
sprawling handwriting — 形容字迹潦草、松散地铺展在纸面上,显得不紧凑或难以辨认。
“His sprawling handwriting made the note hard to read.”
(他潦草的字迹使得便条难以辨认。)