formidable

英 ['fɔːmɪdəb(ə)l; fɔː'mɪd-]美 ['fɔrmɪdəbl]
  • adj. 强大的；可怕的；令人敬畏的；艰难的
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中文词源

formidable 令人敬畏的

来自拉丁语formido, 恐惧，害怕。后词义由恐惧弱化成敬畏。

英文词源

formidable
formidable: [15] Latin formīdō meant ‘fear’ (it may have links with Greek mormó ‘bugbear, goblin’, which came from an Indo-European *mormo). From it was derived the verb formīdāre, which in turn produced the adjective formīdābilis, which English originally acquired in the literal sense ‘inspiring fear’. The weaker ‘impressive in size, difficulty, etc’ is a 17thcentury development.
formidable (adj.)
mid-15c., "causing fear," from Middle French formidable (15c.), from Latin formidabilis "causing fear, terrible," from formidare "to fear," from formido "fearfulness, fear, terror, dread." Sense has softened somewhat over time, in the direction of "so great (in strength, size, etc.) as to discourage effort." Related: Formidably.

双语例句

1. They possess a formidable arsenal of rifles, machine guns, landmines and teargas.
他们持有的步枪、机枪、地雷和催泪弹数量惊人。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Marsalis has a formidable reputation in both jazz and classical music.
马萨利斯在爵士乐和古典音乐领域都有极高的声望。
来自柯林斯例句
3. He remained a formidable opponent.
他依然是一个令人敬畏的对手。
来自柯林斯例句
4. He fronted a formidable band of fighters.
他率领着一队可畏的斗士。
来自柯林斯例句
5. In debate he was a formidable opponent.
在辩论中他是位难应付的对手。
来自《权威词典》