| 释义 |
whit·tle /ˈhwɪtl/ vt. | vi. | n.
I ❶ vt.
1. 削
whittle wood 削木头
whittle a branch into a whip handle 把树枝削成鞭子的手柄
2. 削制，削成
whittle pegs from whitewood 把白木削成销钉
3. 削减；削弱(away, down)
whittle down expenses 削减开支
Profits are whittled down by the ever-rising cost of energy. 不断增长的能源成本使利润下降。
whittle away the enemy's military and economic strength in a war of attrition 通过消耗战削弱敌人的军事和经济力量
4. 〈罕〉使烦恼，使苦恼
I'm whittled to death about the future of the mining industry. 我为采矿工业的前途忧心忡忡。
❷ vi.
1. 削；削木头；削成形；削着玩(at)
whittle at a piece of wood 削木头
2. 使人烦恼不堪；自寻烦恼；烦恼，苦恼
It won't make it any better to whittle about it. 为此烦恼丝毫无补于事。
II n.
〈英方〉刀；大刀；屠刀
[ME thwittle large knife 的变体 < OE thwitel < thwītan to cut; 与 ON thveita to hew, beat 有关] |