simple: [13] Etymologically, simple denotes ‘same-fold’ – that is, not multifarious. It goes back ultimately to a compound formed from prehistoric Indo-European *sm-, *sem-, *som- ‘same’ (source also of English same, similar, single, etc) and *pl- ‘fold’ (source of English fold, ply, etc). This passed into Latin as simplus ‘single’, which found its way into English via Old French simple. => fold, ply, same, similar
simple (adj.)
c. 1200, "free from duplicity, upright, guileless; blameless, innocently harmless," also "ignorant, uneducated; unsophisticated; simple-minded, foolish," from Old French simple (12c.) "plain, decent; friendly, sweet; naive, foolish, stupid," hence "wretched, miserable," from Latin simplus, variant of simplex "simple, uncompounded," literally "onefold" (see simplex). Sense of "free from pride, humble, meek" is mid-13c. As "consisting of only one substance or ingredient" (opposite of composite or compounded) it dates from late 14c.; as "easily done" (opposite of complicated) it dates from late 15c.
From mid-14c. as "unqualified; mere; sheer;" also "clear, straightforward; easily understood." From late 14c. as "single, individual; whole." From late 14c. of clothing, etc., "modest, plain, unadorned," and of food, "plain, not sumptuous." In medicine, of fractures, etc., "lacking complications," late 14c. As a law term, "lacking additional legal stipulations, unlimited," from mid-14c.
In Middle English with wider senses than recently, such as "inadequate, insufficient; weak, feeble; mere; few; sad, downcast; mournful; of little value; low in price; impoverished, destitute;" of hair, "straight, not curly." As noun, "an innocent or a guileless person; a humble or modest person" (late 14c.), also "an uncompounded substance." From c. 1500 as "ignorant people."
双语例句
1. The letter was short — a simple recitation of their problem.
信写得很短——只是简单地说了一下他们的问题。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Though off-puttingly complicated in detail, local taxes are in essence simple.
虽然地税在细节上复杂得要命，但在本质上却很简单。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The room remains simple with bare, stippled green walls.
房间仍然很简朴，四面都是饰有圆点的绿色空墙。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Sadly, the film is let down by an excessively simple plot.
遗憾的是，过于简单的情节使得这部电影差强人意。
来自柯林斯例句
5. "But Peter, it's not that simple," Goldstone countered in a firm voice.