sinister
英['sɪnɪstə]
美['sɪnɪstɚ]
助记提示
1. perhaps from root *sen- and meaning properly "the slower or weaker hand".
2. 该词本义为：left, on the left side.
3. 由于在古代占卜学中认为左边，即西边是不吉利的、不吉祥的，因为西边是日落的方向，往往象征着衰落、衰败、衰退。由此该词的含义引申为“ 不吉利的，不祥的，险恶的”。中文词源
sinister 左边的，邪恶的，凶恶的来自古法语 sinistre,向左的，不利的，来自拉丁语 sinister,左边。词义演变来自“左”在古代 与邪恶，凶恶相联系的隐含义。比较 dextrose,右旋糖，dexterity,灵巧，灵活。
英文词源
- sinister
- sinister: see left
- sinister (adj.)
- early 15c., "prompted by malice or ill-will, intending to mislead," from Old French senestre, sinistre "contrary, false; unfavorable; to the left" (14c.), from Latin sinister "left, on the left side" (opposite of dexter), of uncertain origin. Perhaps meaning properly "the slower or weaker hand" [Tucker], but Klein and Buck suggest it's a euphemism (see left (adj.)) connected with the root of Sanskrit saniyan "more useful, more advantageous." With contrastive or comparative suffix -ter, as in dexter (see dexterity).
The Latin word was used in augury in the sense of "unlucky, unfavorable" (omens, especially bird flights, seen on the left hand were regarded as portending misfortune), and thus sinister acquired a sense of "harmful, unfavorable, adverse." This was from Greek influence, reflecting the early Greek practice of facing north when observing omens. In genuine Roman auspices, the augurs faced south and left was favorable. Thus sinister also retained a secondary sense in Latin of "favorable, auspicious, fortunate, lucky."
Meaning "evil" is from late 15c. Used in heraldry from 1560s to indicate "left, to the left." Bend (not "bar") sinister in heraldry indicates illegitimacy and preserves the literal sense of "on or from the left side" (though in heraldry this is from the view of the bearer of the shield, not the observer of it).
双语例句
- 1. There is nothing sinister or conspiratorial about the export licensing system.
- 这种出口许可制度没有任何阴险或者见不得人的东西。
来自柯林斯例句
- 2. There was something sinister about him that she found disturbing.
- 他身上有种邪恶的东西让她很不安。
来自柯林斯例句
- 3. There was something cold and sinister about him.
- 他给人一种冷酷阴险的感觉。
来自《权威词典》
- 4. There is something sinister at the back of that series of crimes.
- 在这一系列罪行背后有险恶的阴谋.
来自《简明英汉词典》
- 5. In your remarks you alluded to a certain sinister design.
- 在你的谈话中,你提到了某个阴谋.
来自《简明英汉词典》