dolphin: [13] The ultimate source of dolphin is Greek delphís ‘dolphin’, which some have linked with Greek delphys ‘womb’. From it was derived delphīnion, a name given to the plant larkspur on account of the dolphin-like shape of part of its flower, acquired by English via Latin as delphinium [17]. Latin took over Greek delphís as delphīnus, which passed into English along two channels.
The classical form was borrowed as delfyn or delphin, which did not survive the 17th century. But the Vulgar Latin form *dalphīnus progressed to Old French daulphin (ultimate source of English dauphin), which English acquired as dalphyn. Dolphin, first recorded in the 14th century, appears to be an English alteration of the form da(u)lphin. => dauphin, delphinium
dolphin (n.)
mid-14c., from Old French daulphin, from Medieval Latin dolfinus, from Latin delphinus "dolphin," from Greek delphis (genitive delphinos) "dolphin," related to delphys "womb," perhaps via notion of the animal bearing live young, or from its shape, from PIE *gwelbh-. Popularly applied to the dorado from late 16c.
雙語例句
1. He was so happy communing with the dolphin in Dingle Bay.
他在丁格爾灣與海豚交流的時(shí)候特別開心。
來自柯林斯例句
2. A dolphin leapt out of the water.
海豚躍出水面。
來自《權(quán)威詞典》
3. The advert featured a dolphin swimming around a goldfish bowl.
該廣告的內(nèi)容為一條在金魚缸里游動(dòng)的海豚.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
4. We also pointed out that dolphin - kicking is a misnomer.