好词典

tinder

UK //ˈtɪndə(r)//US //ˈtɪndər//

词源

源自古英语 tynder,与德语 Zunder 同源,最初指用于引火的材料。词根与'to tend'(照料)相关,因需要小心保存火种而得名。

noun

❶ 指干燥易燃的材料,如小木片、干草等,用于引火。在野外生存中常用来快速生火。

“He gathered some dry leaves and twigs to use as tinder.”

(他收集了一些干树叶和小树枝用作引火物。)

“Without proper tinder, it's hard to start a fire in the rain.”

(没有合适的引火物,雨天很难生火。)

❶ 比喻容易引发冲突或激烈情绪的事物,常用于描述紧张局势或敏感话题。

“His harsh words were tinder for their argument.”

(他尖刻的言辞成了他们争吵的导火索。)

“The political scandal was tinder waiting to ignite public anger.”

(这桩政治丑闻就像等待点燃公众怒火的引信。)

同义词:kindling, fuel, spark, igniter, incendiary

常见短语

tinder-dry — 形容极度干燥的状态,像引火物一样容易燃烧,常用于描述天气或植被条件。

“After weeks without rain, the forest floor was tinder-dry.”

(几周没下雨后,森林地面干燥得像引火物一样。)