OpenEtymology

riddle

UKˈrɪd.l̩USˈrɪd.l̩

Meaning

1n.

谜语;难以理解的事物

2vt.

用筛子过滤;使布满窟窿

Structure

word structure
1
rid
解释
+
2
dle
名词后缀

Usage

She told a riddle that no one could solve.

她出了一个没人能解的谜语。

The sunlight riddled the leaves with tiny holes.

阳光在树叶上留下细密的光斑。

His speech was a riddle of contradictions.

他的演讲充满矛盾的谜团。

Etymology

“riddle”最初源自古英语 rǣdels,意为“需要解释的事物”,由动词词根 rǣdan(解释)衍生而来。中古英语时期演变为“谜语”含义,因谜语需通过解释才能理解。动词义“筛滤”则来自另一古英语词 hriddel(筛子),因筛子布满孔洞,与谜语的“隐晦性”产生隐喻关联。

Analysis

Structure
riddle=rid解释+dle名词后缀

• rid(古英语 rǣdan,意为“解释”或“猜测”) • dle(古英语名词后缀,表工具或结果)

词源溯源: “riddle”最初源自古英语 rǣdels,意为“需要解释的事物”,由动词词根 rǣdan(解释)衍生而来。中古英语时期演变为“谜语”含义,因谜语需通过解释才能理解。动词义“筛滤”则来自另一古英语词 hriddel(筛子),因筛子布满孔洞,与谜语的“隐晦性”产生隐喻关联。

Riddle Meaning & Word Parts (rid + dle) | OpenEtymology