| 释义 |
ba·bel
\ˈbābəl, ˈba-\ noun
(-s)
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: from the Tower of Babel, biblical structure (Gen 11:4-9) that was erected for the purpose of reaching heaven and incurred the wrath of God, who as punishment made the builder's speech mutually unintelligible, from Assyro-Babylonian bāb-ilu gate of god
1.
a. : a confusion or medley of sounds, voices, languages, or ideas
< such a babel! Everyone talking at once and nobody listening to anyone — Hugh Walpole >
< a babel of birds fills the nearby woods — Joseph Chiari >
< a babel of controversy — Gene Baro >
b. : a place or scene of noise or confusion, especially of mingled and confused noises
< all races and nationalities meet and talk in the streets to make the town a babel >
2.
a. : a lofty or towering structure
b. : an excessively grandiose or visionary scheme or project
< the babel of their ambitions must totter to the ground >
Synonyms: see din |