好词典

whisker

UK //ˈwɪskə(r)//US //ˈwɪskər//

词源

源自中古英语 'wisker',与 'whisk'(快速移动)相关,因动物胡须的动态感知功能得名。

noun

❶ 动物(如猫、鼠等)脸上长而硬的触须,用于感知周围环境或保持平衡。

“The cat's whiskers twitched as it sniffed the air.”

(猫咪嗅探空气时,胡须轻轻颤动。)

“He trimmed his dog's whiskers for the pet show.”

(他为宠物比赛修剪了狗狗的胡须。)

❶ 极小的距离或差距,常用于短语 by a whisker 表示以微弱优势。

“She won the race by a whisker.”

(她以微弱优势赢得了比赛。)

“The bullet missed him by a whisker.”

(子弹差一点就击中了他。)

同义词:vibrissa, hair, bristle

常见短语

by a whisker — 形容以极小的差距完成某事,常用于胜负、成败等场景。

“The athlete broke the record by a whisker.”

(那位运动员以毫厘之差打破了纪录。)