few
adj.(形容词)
few.er,few.est
Amounting to or consisting of a small number:
少数的,几个的:相当于或包括很少量的:
例句:
one of my few bad habits.
我少数坏习惯中的一个
Being more than one but indefinitely small in number:
很少的,一些的:多于一个但不确定的很小数量:
例句:
bowled a few strings.
玩了几场保龄球
n.(used with a pl. verb)(名词)(与复数动词连用)
An indefinitely small number of persons or things:
不确定的少量的人或事物:
例句:
A few of the books have torn jackets.
少数的书的封皮破了
An exclusive or limited number:
除外的或有限的数量:
例句:
the discerning few; the fortunate few.
眼光敏锐的少数人;少数幸运的人
pron.(used with a pl. verb)(代词)(与复数动词连用)
A small number of persons or things:
少数的人或事物:
例句:
.For many are called, but few are chosen.(Matthew 22:4)
.被召的人多,选上的人少.(马太福音22:4)
来源:
Middle English fewe
中古英语 fewe
from Old English fôawe * see pau-
源自 古英语 fôawe *参见 pau-
【引伸】
few.ness
n.(名词)
The traditional rule holds thatfewer is used with expressions denoting things that can be counted (
传统的规则认为fewer 与可数的指示事物的词语连用(
例句:
fewer than four players),
少于四个选手),
whileless is used with mass terms denoting things of measurable extent (
而less 与很多可测量范围的指示事物的词条连用(
例句:
less paper;
更少的纸张;
例句:
less than a gallon of paint).
少于一加仑的涂料)。
However,less is idiomatic in certain constructions wherefewer would occur according to the traditional rule. Less than is used before a plural noun that denotes a measure of time, amount, or distance:
然而less 在一定的句法结构中具有成语性质, 而其中fewer 以传统的规则出现。 Less than 用在表示一定时间、数量或距离尺度的复数名词前:
例句:
less than three weeks;
少于三周;
例句:
less than $400;
少于400美元;
例句:
less than 50 miles.Less
少于50英里。Less
is sometimes used with plural nouns in the expressionsno less than (as in No less than 30 of his colleagues signed the letter ) andor less (as in Give your reasons in 25 words or less ).
有时在no less than 中与复数名词连用(象在 他的同事中不少于三十位在那封信上署了名 ), 以及or less (象在 用不多于二十五个单词来讲述你的理由 )