| 释义 |
definedefine /dɪˈfaɪn/ ●●○ AWL verb [transitive] ETYMOLOGYdefineOrigin: 1300-1400 Old French definer, from Latin definire, from finire to limit, end VERB TABLEdefine |
| Present | I, you, we, they | define | | he, she, it | defines | | Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | defined | | Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have defined | | he, she, it | has defined | | Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had defined | | Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will define | | Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have defined |
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| Present | I | am defining | | he, she, it | is defining | | you, we, they | are defining | | Past | I, he, she, it | was defining | | you, we, they | were defining | | Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been defining | | he, she, it | has been defining | | Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been defining | | Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be defining | | Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been defining |
► well/clearly defined The powers of the president are clearly defined in the Constitution. ► narrowly defined The contract lists several narrowly defined (=defined in a specific and strictly limiting way) responsibilities. ► vaguely defined my vaguely defined (=not very clear or specific) fears ► loosely/broadly defined (=defined in a way that is not very specific) ► well/clearly/sharply defined The bird has sharply defined black and red markings. THESAURUS to describe something in a way that makes it clear or easier to understand► explain to describe something in a way that makes it clear or easier to understand: Our lawyer carefully explained the process. It’s not that complicated – let me explain. ► tell to explain something to someone. Often used instead of explain in everyday spoken English: She told me how to get to the college. ► show to explain to someone how to do something, especially by doing something while he or she watches you: Ellen showed me how to use the coffee maker. ► demonstrate demonstrate means the same as show but sounds more formal. Used especially to explain something as part of your job: The teacher demonstrated the experiment to the students. ► go through/run through something informal to explain something carefully, one part at a time: Mrs. Riddell went through the homework assignment. ► clarify to make something easier to understand, by explaining in a different way or adding more details: Reporters asked the president to clarify his earlier statement, so he explained again in more detail. ► define to explain the exact meaning of a word or idea: It is difficult to define the word “beauty” – what is it exactly that makes something beautiful? ► illustrate to explain something and make it clear by giving examples: The speaker gave an example to illustrate her point. ► elucidate formal to explain something clearly. Used especially in writing: Each chapter elucidates some aspect of American life. 1to describe something correctly and thoroughly, and to say what standards, limits, qualities, etc. it has that make it different from other things: define something as something 70% of workers can be defined as low-paid.well/clearly defined The powers of the president are clearly defined in the Constitution. The contract lists several narrowly defined (=defined in a specific and strictly limiting way) responsibilities. my vaguely defined (=not very clear or specific) fears2to explain the exact meaning of a particular word or idea: Define precisely what you mean by “crime.”define something as something A lie is defined as saying something in order to deceive someone.loosely/broadly defined (=defined in a way that is not very specific)► see thesaurus at explain3to show the edge or shape of something clearly: well/clearly/sharply defined The bird has sharply defined black and red markings. [Origin: 1300–1400 Old French definer, from Latin definire, from finire to limit, end]—definable adjective |