c. 1300, from Old English wel faran "condition of being or doing well," from wel (see well (adv.)) + faran "get along" (see fare (v.)). Similar formation in Old Norse velfere. Meaning "social concern for the well-being of children, the unemployed, etc." is first attested 1904; meaning "organized effort to provide for maintenance of members of a group" is from 1918. Welfare state is recorded from 1941.
雙語(yǔ)例句
1. They were more concerned about the dogs' welfare than a clean getaway.
他們更加關(guān)心那些狗的安危，而非自己如何干凈利落地脫身。
來自柯林斯例句
2. The local welfare office is where government dispenses many of its services.
地方福利部門就是政府貫徹實(shí)施其眾多服務(wù)的窗口。
來自柯林斯例句
3. The government is cynically running down Swe-den's welfare system.
瑞典政府正自私自利地削減本國(guó)的福利。
來自柯林斯例句
4. Unsupported mothers are one of the fastest-growing groups of welfare claimants.