| 释义 |
quail² /kweɪl/ vi. | vt.
❶ vi.
1. 害怕，胆怯；畏缩，退缩
His heart quailed. 他心存恐惧。
Eminent men invariably quailed before her. 有名望的男人见了她没有一个不怕的。
quail with fear at the thought (the prospect before one) 想到那一点(前途)不寒而栗
2. (害怕似地)弯曲；颤动
Trees quailed before a blast of wind. 树木在一阵强风中弯身剧颤。
3. 〈主方〉衰败；垮掉
The religion quailed into abject superstition. 那种宗教沦为可悲的迷信。
His courage never quailed. 他从不失去勇气。
❷ vt.
〈古〉使害怕，使胆怯
[< ? OFr quailler < L coāgulāre to curdle] |