1.山楂子;沙果树(一种结小型酸果的苹果属植物)
2.脾气暴躁的人(非正式用法)
该词由“crab”与“apple”复合而成。其中“crab”并非直接指代甲壳动物,而是借其引申义“酸涩/尖锐”(类比螃蟹钳子的攻击性),修饰后方“apple”,字面意为“酸涩的苹果”。这一命名既直观描述了果实口感,也暗喻其树木多刺、难栽培的特性。词义后进一步引申为形容“性格酸涩暴躁之人”,完成从植物到人性特质的隐喻迁移。
“The jelly was made from wild crabapples growing near the fence.”
果酱是用篱笆旁野生的山楂子制成的。
“He’s known as a bit of a crabapple due to his constant grumbling.”
因为他总爱抱怨,大家觉得他像个脾气暴躁的老顽固。
“Crabapple trees bloom with pink flowers in early spring.”
沙果树在早春时节会开出粉色的花。