scatter
基本释义
[verb] throw in various random directions
[动词] 向各种随机方向投掷
深入解读
在 小词详解 | shatter 中,小站曾提到 scatter 是一个与常见单词 shatter 既形似又含义有所关联的单词,两者都可能源自于最初可能是拟声而来的中古英语 schateren 。
其中, scatter 主要用来表示“撒、撒播”,即向各种随机方向投掷种子、沙子、盐、灰等,常用搭配 scatter sth on/over/around sth 或 scatter sth with sth 表示“撒到……上”,也就是随意投掷或散布某物,并使之散落在某个目标物体或平面上,比如:
- 在草坪上撒上草籽。
Scatter the lawn with grass seed.
从这个概念出发,也可以用 scatter 表示“随处放置(place haphazardly)”衣服、纸张、玩具等,以及指“零星出现或发生”,即事物间隔一段时间或距离零散出现、发生或分布,如:
- 零星小雨
scattered showers
注:过去分词 scattered 作形容词使用时指“稀稀拉拉的、零零星星的”,强调数量少,而非多得“遍布各处的、到处都是的”
- 每把椅子上都随手乱放着这个病人的衣服。
The invalid’s clothes were scattered on every chair.
此外, scatter 还可用来表示“散开、分散”或“驱散、使分散”,侧重指(使)一群人或动物分开并迅速向不同方向移动,比如:
- 士兵进来把这一大群胆大妄为的歹徒驱散了。
The soldiers came in and scattered the swarm of audacious bandits.
用作名词时, scatter 相应表示“散落、三三两两、零零星星”,也就是零星散布的东西,常作单数使用,同 scattering ,比如:
- 稀稀落落的房屋
a scattering of houses - 崭新的桌子上放着一摞书和零落的几份报纸。
On the pristine table was a pile of books and a scatter of papers.
诗歌用例
And today when by chance I light upon them and see thy signature, I find they have lain scattered in the dust mixed with the memory of joys and sorrows of my trivial days forgotten.
今天我偶然照见了你的签印,我发现它们和我遗忘了的日常哀乐的回忆,杂乱地散掷在尘埃里。
出自印度作家泰戈尔创作的诗集《吉檀迦利》(Gitanjali)。1913年,泰戈尔凭借该作获得诺贝尔文学奖。
外刊例句
- Since its inception it has attracted more than 100,000 students, scattered around the globe from India to Nigeria.
自推出以来,这门课吸引了从印度到尼日利亚的全球各地十多万名学生。
——《经济学人》 - She greeted allies and adversaries, embraced former first ladies, got a thumbs up from former President George W. Bush, and exchanged a warm hello with her old boss, President Barack Obama, all while appearing impervious to the scattered chants of “Lock her up!” coming from the crowd.
她和盟友及对手打了招呼,拥抱了前第一夫人们。前总统乔治·沃克·布什朝她竖了大拇指。她还同自己的老上司贝拉克·奥巴马总统互相热情问好,同时看似完全不为人群中传来的“把她关起来”的零星口号所动。
——《纽约时报》
常见短语
下面是关于”scatter”的一些短语,每个短语都附带有中文解释:
- Scatter seeds – 撒播种子
- Scatter leaves – 散落的树叶
- Scatter clouds – 分散的云朵
- Scatter flowers – 撒花
- Scatter ashes – 撒骨灰
- Scatter crumbs – 撒面包屑
- Scatter rocks – 散落的岩石
- Scatter sand – 撒沙子
- Scatter pebbles – 散落的鹅卵石
- Scatter dust – 飞扬的灰尘
- Scatter petals – 散落的花瓣
- Scatter confetti – 撒纸屑
- Scatter glitter – 散落的闪光粉
- Scatter sparks – 飞溅的火花
- Scatter foam – 分散的泡沫
- Scatter debris – 散落的碎片
- Scatter papers – 分散的文件
- Scatter toys – 散落的玩具
- Scatter coins – 撒硬币
- Scatter petals – 散落的花瓣
- Scatter feathers – 散落的羽毛
- Scatter leaves – 散落的树叶
- Scatter droplets – 飞溅的小水滴
- Scatter books – 散落的书籍
- Scatter pencils – 散落的铅笔
- Scatter paint – 涂抹的颜料
- Scatter sparks – 飞溅的火花
- Scatter sand – 撒沙子
- Scatter confetti – 撒纸屑
- Scatter dust – 飞扬的灰尘
- Scatter crumbs – 撒面包屑
- Scatter leaves – 散落的树叶
- Scatter debris – 散落的碎片
- Scatter feathers – 散落的羽毛
- Scatter rocks – 散落的岩石
- Scatter petals – 散落的花瓣
- Scatter coins – 撒硬币
- Scatter papers – 分散的文件
- Scatter toys – 散落的玩具
- Scatter pencils – 散落的铅笔
同近义词
disperse: distribute or spread over a wide area
toss: throw (something) somewhere lightly, easily, or casually
sprinkle: scatter or pour small drops or particles of a substance over (an object or surface)