好词典

wick

UK /wɪk/US /wɪk/

词源

源自古英语 wēoce,与古高地德语 wiohha(灯芯)同源,可能最终源自原始印欧语词根*weg-(编织)。

noun

❶ 蜡烛或油灯中用来吸收并燃烧燃料的细绳或纤维条,通常由棉或亚麻制成。

“The candle wouldn't stay lit because the wick was too short.”

(蜡烛无法保持点燃,因为灯芯太短了。)

“She trimmed the wick of the oil lamp to make it burn brighter.”

(她修剪了油灯的灯芯,让它燃烧得更亮。)

❶ 比喻某事物中持续存在或发展的核心部分,常指负面情绪或问题。

“His anger was the wick that kept the argument burning.”

(他的愤怒是让争论持续燃烧的导火索。)

“The scandal became the wick of a major political crisis.”

(这桩丑闻演变成一场重大政治危机的导火索。)

同义词:fuse, cord, taper, core, source

verb

❶ 通过毛细作用吸收液体,特指灯芯吸收油或蜡的过程。

“The oil quickly wicked up the cotton string.”

(油迅速沿着棉线被吸上去。)

“This special fabric wicks moisture away from the skin.”

(这种特殊面料能将水分从皮肤上吸走。)

同义词:absorb, draw up, soak up, pull in, siphon

常见短语

get on someone's wick — 英式俚语,表示某人或某事让人非常烦躁或恼火。

“His constant humming is really getting on my wick.”

(他不停地哼歌真的让我很烦躁。)

dip one's wick — 粗俗俚语,指发生性关系,使用时需注意场合。

“He boasted about dipping his wick at every opportunity.”

(他吹嘘自己一有机会就寻欢作乐。)