| 释义 |
floun·der
I. \ˈflau̇ndə(r)\ noun
(plural flounder or flounders ; see sense 3)
Etymology: Middle English flundre, flounder, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish flundra flounder, Norwegian flundra flounder, flat stone, Old Norse flythra flounder; akin to Middle High German vluoder flounder, Old Norse flatr flat — more at flat
1. : any of numerous flattened fishes constituting the order Heterosomata : flatfish; usually : any of various fishes of the families Pleuronectidae and Bothidae which include a number of important marine food fishes — see southern flounder, summer flounder, winter flounder; compare sole
2. : pumpkinseed
3. plural flounders : something (as a metal plate, a liver fluke, or a tool formerly used in crimping boot fronts) resembling a flounder in shape
II. intransitive verb
(floundered ; floundered ; floundering \-d(ə)riŋ\ ; flounders)
Etymology: probably alteration (influenced by flounder) (I) of founder
1. obsolete : stumble
2.
a. : to fling the limbs and body (as in making efforts to move) : struggle to move or obtain footing
b. : to proceed clumsily and often self-consciously : muddle
< they floundered on from blunder to blunder — William Hamilton †1856 >
Synonyms: see wallow
III. noun
(-s)
: an act or instance of floundering |