| 释义 |
prov·ince
\ˈprävə̇n(t)s sometimes -äˌvin-\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: French, from Latin provincia; perhaps akin to Gothic frauja lord, master — more at frau
1.
a. : a country or a more or less remote region brought under the control of the ancient Roman government
b. : an administrative district or division of a country or empire
< the provinces of old Spain >
< the provinces of Canada >
c.
(1) : a portion of a country; especially : one remote from or outside of the capital or largest city
(2) provinces plural : all of a country outside of the metropolis — usually used with the
< a shabby theatrical troupe which tours the provinces — Donald Heiney >
2. [Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin provincia, from Latin]
a. : any of the principal ecclesiastical divisions of a country forming the jurisdiction of an archbishop or metropolitan
< the province of Canterbury >
b. : a territorial division of a religious order
< the general of the order administers several provinces >
c. : a Salvation Army administrative unit smaller than a territory and larger than a division
3.
a. : a biogeographic division of less rank than a region; especially : a primary division of a subregion
b. : an area throughout which geological history has been essentially the same or which is characterized by particular structural, petrographical, or physiographical features
4.
a. : proper or appropriate business or scope (as of a person or body) : sphere, jurisdiction
< semantic questions … are outside his province — English Language Teaching >
b. : a department of knowledge or activity
< humanitarianism invaded one province of life after another — G.M.Trevelyan >
Synonyms: see field, function |