colossus

基本释义

[noun] a statue that is much bigger than life size
[名词] 比真人大得多的雕像

深入解读

对于漫威迷们来说,一眼看到这个单词就很容易联想起漫威旗下的超级英雄钢力士(Colossus)来,其英文名正是该词。

该词来源于被称为古代世界七大奇迹之一的罗德岛太阳神巨像(Colossus of Rhodes)。该巨像始建于公元前292年,历时12年于公元前280年建成,高度约33米,是当时世界上最高的青铜像。

因此, colossus 于14世纪末由希腊语 kolossos (巨型雕像)经拉丁语 colossus (巨型雕像)进入英语后也是用来表示“巨型雕像”,即比真人大得多的雕像,比如自由女神像(The Statue of Liberty)就是一座现代巨像(a modern colossus)。

等到了1794年后, colossus 开始用来喻指“巨人、巨物”,常用单数作正式用语使用,主要指人或事物在尺寸、重要性、影响力或能力方面巨大,比如:

  • 她被誉为文坛创作巨匠。
    She was extolled as the creative colossus of the literary world.

最后值得注意的是, colossus 的复数拼写不规则,不是通常的加 es 在结尾,而是拼为 colossi 。

好书例句

The first was thin, and had a long, iron-tipped cudgel; the second, who was a sort of colossus, carried, by the middle of the handle, with the blade downward, a butcher’s pole-axe for slaughtering cattle.
第一个是个瘦子,拿着一根裹了铁的粗木棒。第二个是一种彪形大汉,倒提着一把宰牛的板斧,手捏在斧柄的中段。

出自法国作家维克多·雨果的长篇小说《悲惨世界》(Les Misérables,原意为“悲惨的人们”“可怜的人们”)。

外刊例句

  • One was Carlos Ghosn, the Brazilian-born architect of the Franco-Japanese carmaking colossus.
    一位是出生于巴西的卡洛斯·戈恩,是这家法日汽车超大联盟的缔造者。
    ——《经济学人》
  • And analysts have questioned whether JD.com will be able to build itself into a colossus like Amazon.
    此外,分析人士质疑,京东是否能够把自己打造成亚马逊那样的巨人。
    ——《纽约时报》

详细用法

常用短语:

  1. Giant colossus (巨大的巨像) – Referring to an enormous or massive statue or monument.
    • Example: The giant colossus of a lion stood at the entrance of the city.
  2. Rise like a colossus (如巨人般崛起) – Achieve great success or prominence in a dramatic and impressive manner.
    • Example: The young entrepreneur rose like a colossus in the tech industry.
  3. Titanic colossus (巨大的巨人) – Describing something or someone of immense size, strength, or importance.
    • Example: The athlete’s performance was like that of a titanic colossus.
  4. Colossus of industry (工业巨头) – Referring to a person or company that dominates or has significant influence in a particular industry.
    • Example: He built his company from scratch and became a colossus of the fashion industry.
  5. Cultural colossus (文化巨擘) – Describing a person or entity that has a profound and lasting impact on a particular culture or society.
    • Example: Shakespeare is considered a cultural colossus in the world of literature.
  6. Intellectual colossus (知识巨人) – Referring to a person who possesses exceptional intellectual abilities and knowledge.
    • Example: Einstein is regarded as an intellectual colossus in the field of physics.
  7. Political colossus (政治巨擘) – Describing a person who wields great power and influence in the political arena.
    • Example: Nelson Mandela was a political colossus who led South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.
  8. Economic colossus (经济巨人) – Referring to a country or organization that has significant economic power and influence.
    • Example: The United States remains an economic colossus in the global market.
  9. Colossus of Rhodes (罗得岛巨像) – A historical reference to the gigantic statue of the Greek god Helios that once stood in the city of Rhodes.
    • Example: The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
  10. Digital colossus (数字巨头) – Describing a large and influential company in the digital or technology sector.
    • Example: Google has established itself as a digital colossus with its widespread online services.
  11. Artistic colossus (艺术巨匠) – Referring to a highly accomplished and influential artist or creator.
    • Example: Picasso is considered an artistic colossus of the 20th century.
  12. Colossus of strength (力量的巨人) – Describing a person who possesses exceptional physical strength.
    • Example: The weightlifter was a colossus of strength, breaking multiple records.
  13. Colossus of knowledge (知识的巨人) – Referring to an individual who has an extensive and profound understanding of various subjects.
    • Example: The professor was a colossus of knowledge in the field of mathematics.
  14. Colossus of finance (金融巨头) – Describing a person or institution that holds significant power and influence in the financial industry.
    • Example: Warren Buffett is known as a colossus of finance for his successful investment strategies.
  15. Modern-day colossus (现代巨人) – Referring to a person, organization, or country that is highly influential and dominant in contemporary times.
    • Example: China has emerged as a modern-day colossus in the global economy.
  16. Colossus of technology (科技巨头) – Describing a company or individual that leads in technological advancements and innovations.
    • Example: Apple is regarded as a colossus of technology with its groundbreaking products.
  17. Colossus of literature (文学巨擘) – Referring to a highly esteemed and influential writer or author.
    • Example: Charles Dickens is considered a colossus of literature with his timeless novels.
  18. Colossus of innovation (创新巨擘) – Describing a person, company, or institution that drives significant advancements and breakthroughs in various fields.
    • Example: Tesla has established itself as a colossus of innovation in the automotive industry.
  19. Colossus of power (权力的巨人) – Referring to an individual or entity that possesses immense political or authoritative control.
    • Example: The dictator was a colossus of power, controlling every aspect of the country.
  20. Colossus of architecture (建筑巨匠) – Describing an architect who creates monumental and influential structures.
    • Example: Frank Gehry is considered a colossus of architecture for his iconic designs.
  21. Colossus of strength and wisdom (力量与智慧的巨人) – Referring to a person who possesses both physical prowess and intellectual brilliance.
    • Example: The martial artist was a colossus of strength and wisdom.
  22. Colossus of entertainment (娱乐巨头) – Describing a person or company that dominates and shapes the entertainment industry.
    • Example: Disney is a colossus of entertainment with its vast media empire.
  23. Colossus of success (成功巨人) – Referring to an individual who achieves extraordinary success and accomplishments.
    • Example: Oprah Winfrey is a colossus of success, having built a media empire.
  24. Colossus of research (研究巨擘) – Describing a person or institution that leads in groundbreaking research and discoveries.
    • Example: The scientist became a colossus of research with her groundbreaking findings.
  25. Colossus of influence (影响力巨大的人) – Referring to a person who wields significant influence over others and their decisions.
    • Example: The motivational speaker was a colossus of influence, inspiring countless individuals.
  26. Colossus of talent (才华横溢的巨人) – Describing an individual who possesses exceptional talent and skills in a particular field.
    • Example: Mozart was a colossus of talent, composing masterful symphonies at a young age.
  27. Colossus of resilience (坚韧不拔的巨人) – Referring to a person who demonstrates unwavering strength and determination in the face of adversity.
    • Example: The athlete became a colossus of resilience, overcoming multiple injuries to win championships.
  28. Colossus of diplomacy (外交巨擘) – Describing a diplomat who possesses exceptional skills and influence in international relations.
    • Example: Henry Kissinger is regarded as a colossus of diplomacy for his contributions to global politics.
  29. Colossus of entrepreneurship (创业巨人) – Referring to an individual who achieves remarkable success in the world of business and entrepreneurship.
    • Example: Elon Musk is a colossus of entrepreneurship, leading multiple innovative companies.
  30. Colossus of wisdom (智慧巨人) – Describing a person who possesses profound wisdom and insight.
    • Example: The spiritual leader was a colossus of wisdom, guiding his followers with profound teachings.

同近义词

giant: an imaginary or mythical being of human form but superhuman size
behemoth: something enormous, especially a big and powerful organization
blockbuster: a thing of great power or size, in particular a movie, book, or other product that is a great commercial success

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