好词典

tinker

UK //ˈtɪŋkə//US //ˈtɪŋkər//

词源

源自中古英语 tynkere,可能来自金属修补时发出的叮当声(tink)。最早指修补金属器皿的流动工匠。

verb

❶ 指随意地修理或摆弄某物,通常没有明确计划或专业知识,常用于描述尝试修理机械或电子设备的行为。

“He spent the afternoon tinkering with his old car.”

(他整个下午都在摆弄他的旧车。)

“She likes to tinker with computer programs in her free time.”

(她闲暇时喜欢摆弄电脑程序。)

同义词:fiddle, meddle, tamper

noun

❶ 指流动的补锅匠或小修理匠,传统上指走街串巷修理锅碗瓢盆的手艺人,也引申为业余的修理者。

“In old times, a tinker would travel from village to village repairing pots.”

(过去,补锅匠会走村串巷修理锅具。)

“My grandfather was a tinker who could fix almost anything.”

(我祖父是个什么都能修的巧手匠人。)

同义词:handyman, repairer, mender

常见短语

tinker with — 表示随意地摆弄或尝试修改某物,通常指没有系统性地进行修理或调整。

“He kept tinkering with the recipe until it tasted perfect.”

(他不断调整食谱,直到味道完美。)

tinker's damn — 俚语,表示极少量或毫无价值的事物,常用于否定句中强调不在乎。

“I don't give a tinker's damn about what they think.”

(我完全不在乎他们怎么想。)