好词典

tern

UK /tɜːn/US /tɜːrn/

词源

源自中古英语 'terne',可能来自古诺尔斯语 'þerna'(燕鸥)。

noun

❶ 一种海鸟,体型较小,羽毛多为白色或灰色,喙尖细,常见于海岸或湖泊附近,以鱼类为食。

“We saw a tern diving into the water to catch fish.”

(我们看到一只燕鸥潜入水中捕鱼。)

“The tern's nest was hidden among the rocks.”

(燕鸥的巢藏在岩石之间。)

同义词:sea swallow, gull (广义)

常见短语

common tern — 指一种广泛分布的燕鸥,学名为Sterna hirundo,常见于温带和热带地区。

“The common tern is easily recognized by its black cap and red beak.”

(普通燕鸥因其黑色的头顶和红色的喙而易于辨认。)