OpenEtymology

rear-end

UKˌrɪə ˈendUSˌrɪr ˈend

Meaning

1vt.

追尾(车辆)

2n.

(车辆的)后部,尾部

Usage

The driver failed to brake in time and rear-ended the truck ahead.

司机未能及时刹车,追尾了前方的卡车。

The collision caused significant damage to the rear-end of my car.

碰撞导致我车尾部分严重受损。

Check your rear-end carefully before reversing into the parking space.

倒车入位前请仔细查看车尾后方情况。

Etymology

该词由两个基础古英语词汇直接复合而成,字面意为“后部的末端”。作为名词,它直观描述了物体(尤其是车辆)的尾部结构。20世纪汽车普及后,其动词用法“追尾”应运而生,生动体现了从“后部”空间概念到“撞击后部”动作的逻辑演变——词义通过隐喻从静态位置转向动态事件,完美融合了原始语素的含义。

Rear-end Meaning, Examples & Word Origin | OpenEtymology