好词典

windmills

UK //ˈwɪnd.mɪlz//US //ˈwɪnd.mɪlz//

词源

来自中古英语'windmil',由'wind'(风)和'mill'(磨坊)组成,最早记录于13世纪。

noun

❶ 风车,一种利用风力驱动的机械装置,通常用于磨碎谷物或抽水。在现代也指风力发电的风车。

“The countryside is dotted with old windmills that were once used to grind wheat.”

(乡村里点缀着曾经用来磨小麦的老风车。)

“Modern windmills generate electricity from the wind.”

(现代风车利用风力发电。)

同义词:wind turbine, wind generator, wind engine

常见短语

tilt at windmills — 与假想的敌人或问题作斗争,源自《堂吉诃德》中主人公攻击风车的情节。

“He's always tilting at windmills, arguing about problems that don't exist.”

(他总是与假想敌作斗争,争论一些不存在的问题。)