futile
英 ['fjuːtaɪl]
美 ['fjʊtaɪl]
- adj. 无用的；无效的；没有出息的；琐细的；不重要的
助记提示
1. futil- + -e.
2. which etymologically means 'that pours away', hence 'useless'.
3. futility: f(音“弗、否”) + utility(实用) => 不实用 => 无用.
4. futility => futile.
5. f- (音“弗、否”) + ut- "use" => fut- "useless" => futile.
中文词源
futile 徒劳的来自拉丁语fundere, 倾注，倾泻，词源同foundry, alchemy, confused. 引申词义流走的，徒劳的。
英文词源
- futile
- futile: see found
- futile (adj.)
- "incapable of producing result," 1550s, from Middle French futile or directly from Latin futilis, futtilis "vain, worthless, futile," a figurative use, literally "pouring out easily, easily emptied" (the Latin adjective used as a noun meant "a water vessel broad above and pointed below"), hence "leaky, unreliable," from fundere "to pour, melt," from PIE root *gheu- "to pour" (see found (v.2)). Related: Futilely.
双语例句
- 1. They were killed, to the last man, in a futile attack.
- 因为进攻失败,他们全部被杀, 无一幸免.
来自《简明英汉词典》
- 2. Without microscopes and other modern equipment, attempts to teach science were futile.
- 没有显微镜及其他现代化的设备, 想教授自然科学是不会有成果的.
来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
- 3. Their efforts to revive him were futile.
- 他们对他抢救无效.
来自《简明英汉词典》
- 4. He is a futile sort of person.
- 他是一个没有用的人.
来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
- 5. Their costly and futile attempt to subjugate the Afghans lasted just 10 years.
- 他们大动干戈想要控制阿富汗地区，但只持续了10年就无果而终了。
来自柯林斯例句