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小词详解 | quell

田间小站 田间小站 2022-09-30

quell 英 [kwel] 美 [kwel]
SAT TEM8 GRE

外刊例句

  • The wars that ripped apart the Democratic Republic of Congo and sucked in its neighbours, causing millions of deaths, have largely been quelled.
    内战曾一度令刚果民主共和国四分五裂,且波及多个邻国,令数百万人丧生。如今,战火已基本平息。
    ——《经济学人》
  • They answer our questions and quell feelings of loneliness and anxiety.
    它们回答我们的问题,平息孤独和焦虑的感觉。
    ——《纽约时报》

基本释义

[verb] put an end to (a rebellion or other disorder), typically by the use of force
[动词] (通常通过使用武力来)结束(叛乱或其他混乱)


深入解读

Quell 是一个与英语单词 quill (翎;翎笔、羽毛笔)比较形似的单词,源自古英语 cwellan (杀人、谋杀、处决),原本表示“杀戮、屠杀”,但该义现已废弃,如今则主要表示通过武力“镇压、平息、压制”暴乱或叛乱等,比如:

  • 已抽调了增援警力来平定骚乱。
    Extra police were
    drafted to quell the disturbances.

除了外在的混乱以外, quell 也可以用来引申形容人内在的混乱,即“消除、缓解、减轻”某种强烈的或不快的感情,诸如害怕、愤怒等,比如:

  • 他羞愧地打消了那个突然的念头。
    He quelled the
    whim with shame.
  • 新闻部长正努力消除民众对一触即发的石油危机的恐惧。
    The Information Minister is trying to quell fears of a looming oil crisis.


名著用例
There was a ripple of laughter, instantly quelled by the look Snape gave the class.
教室里发出一片笑声,但立刻被斯内普的眼色压了下去。
出自英国作家J.K.罗琳创作的长篇小说《哈利·波特与混血王子》(Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince)。该小说是《哈利·波特》系列的第六部。

同近义词

  • subdue: bring (a country or people) under control by force
  • suppress: forcibly put an end to
  • repress: subdue (someone or something) by force

往期回顾
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