overwhelm
英[əʊvə'welm]
美[,ovɚ'wɛlm]
- vt. 淹没；压倒；受打击；覆盖；压垮
词态变化
第三人称单数: overwhelms;过去式: overwhelmed;过去分词: overwhelmed;现在分词: overwhelming;
助记提示
1. whelm sth over sth. => overwhelm.
2. 很多构成动词的over-xxx这种复合词，基本上可以认为或者很可能就是源于xxx over sth, xxx sth over sth这类xxx与over连用的短语或用法，而衍生、派生、导出的单一复合词，可以把这种现象看着语言的简化用法，或者基于此引申出新含义。
3. 由于whelm本身含义为：淹没，覆盖，压倒；这里的over表示：above；由此表示压倒、覆盖在什么什么之上，直接引出对象。因此，这里的over不要把它简单地理解为加强，一方面太笼统、模糊，另一方面也不准确、也不怎么合适，还不利于区分whelm和overwhelm的区别。
中文词源
overwhelm 淹没，使应接不暇
over-,在上，超过，whelm,淹没。即使淹没，引申词义使应接不暇。
英文词源
- overwhelm (v.)
- early 14c., "to turn upside down, to overthrow," from over- + Middle English whelmen "to turn upside down" (see whelm). Meaning "to submerge completely" is mid-15c. Perhaps the connecting notion is a boat, etc., washed over, and overset, by a big wave. Figurative sense of "to bring to ruin" is attested from 1520s. Related: Overwhelmed; overwhelming; overwhelmingly.
双语例句
- 1. After my lecture, the students began to overwhelm me with questions.
- 讲课之后, 学生们开始问一系列问题,使我不知所措.
来自《简明英汉词典》
- 2. No difficulty can overwhelm us.
- 困难压不倒我们.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
- 3. It was clear that one massive Allied offensive would overwhelm the weakened enemy.
- 毫无疑问，盟军一次大规模的进攻就会击溃已是强弩之末的敌军。
来自柯林斯例句
- 4. Don't just win the match; overwhelm your opponents by about 20 goals to nil.
- 不只是要赢这场比赛, 而且要以大约20∶0的比分压倒对方.
来自《简明英汉词典》
- 5. The raider, cornered at length, will overwhelm one weak vessel and escape.
- 袭击舰即便最后被它们团团围住, 它也会摧毁其中一艘较弱的巡洋舰, 突围而出.
来自辞典例句