好词典

tottering

UK //ˈtɒt.ər.ɪŋ//US //ˈtɑː.t̬ɚ.ɪŋ//

词源

源自中古英语 'toteren',可能模仿摇晃动作的声音演变而来。

adjective

❶ 形容人或物体摇摇晃晃、站立不稳的样子,通常因为年老、虚弱或结构不牢固。

“The old man walked with tottering steps.”

(老人步履蹒跚地走着。)

“The tottering bookshelf finally collapsed.”

(摇摇欲坠的书架终于倒塌了。)

同义词:unsteady, shaky, wobbly

verb

❶ 指走路时摇摇晃晃、步履不稳的动作,常因身体虚弱或醉酒导致。

“He was tottering after drinking too much.”

(他喝得太多,走路摇摇晃晃。)

“The toddler tottered across the room.”

(那个幼儿摇摇晃晃地穿过房间。)

同义词:stagger, reel, lurch

常见短语

tottering steps — 形容走路时摇摇晃晃、不稳定的步伐,常用于描述老人或体弱者。

“She took tottering steps towards the door.”

(她迈着蹒跚的步子向门口走去。)

tottering economy — 形容经济状况不稳定、濒临崩溃的状态。

“The country's tottering economy needs urgent reforms.”

(该国摇摇欲坠的经济急需改革。)