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sneer
英 [snɪə(r)] 美 [snɪr]
n.冷笑；嘲笑 v.嘲笑；冷笑
◉Etymology
“Sneer”起源于16世纪的英语，其确切来源尚不确定，但可能与中古英语“sneren”或古英语“snyran”（嗤笑、皱鼻）有关，带有拟声或拟态的特性，模仿轻蔑时的鼻音或面部动作。一些语言学家认为，它可能与古诺斯语“snarra”（嗤笑）或荷兰语“sneeren”（嘲笑）有远亲关系。这些词根都指向一种轻蔑的发声或表情，强调“sneer”的情感强度。到17世纪，“sneer”在英语中稳定为“冷笑”或“讥笑”，常用于文学与日常语言，形容不友好的态度。
◉外刊例句
① 《The New Yorker》 (2023年10月25日)
He sneered at the proposal, dismissing it as naive and impractical.
他冷笑了一声，嘲笑这个提议天真且不切实际。
② 《The Guardian》 (2024年6月18日)
The politician’s sneer during the debate alienated many undecided voters.
政客在辩论中的冷笑疏远了许多未决定的选民。
◉经典名著
① 《傲慢与偏见》（Pride and Prejudice）——简·奥斯汀 (1813年)
Mr. Darcy’s sneer at the country assembly shocked Elizabeth, deepening her prejudice.
达西先生在乡村舞会上的冷笑震惊了伊丽莎白，加深了她的偏见。
② 《雾都孤儿》（Oliver Twist）——查尔斯·狄更斯 (1838年)
Fagin sneered at the boy’s innocence, plotting his next scheme.
费金冷笑了一声，嘲笑男孩的天真，同时策划着下一个阴谋。
◉Usage Notes
(1) Ambreene favored him with a disbelieving sneer.
(2) Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.
(3) The remark was, of course, a sneer.
(4) The remark was, of course, a sneer.
(5) Ambreene favored him with a disbelieving sneer.
(6) Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.
(1) 艾布瑞妮回以一个不相信的冷笑。
(2) 轻蔑在凯西眼中闪现，冷笑在凯西唇边出现。
(3) 这话当然是一种嘲笑。
(4) 这话当然是一种嘲笑。
(5) 艾布瑞妮回以一个不相信的冷笑。
(6) 轻蔑在凯西眼中闪现，冷笑在凯西唇边出现。
◉Usage Examples
If your smile is contorted with contempt or your upper lip curled with distaste and disdain, you're probably sneering. And you should stop, because it isn't nice.
Many things can elicit a sneer: a terrible red carpet outfit, a disgusting plate of food, a stupid joke told for the third time. But sneers aren't just meant to show disgust. They're mean-spirited, mocking and often downright snooty. So now that you know the definition of sneer inside and out, resist the temptation to sneer at those who don't!
◉Colins
1. [VERB 动词]讥笑；嘲笑；讥讽 If you sneer at someone or something, you express your contempt for them by the expression on your face or by what you say. [V at n] [V with quote] [V] [Also V that]
① There is too great a readiness to sneer at anything the Opposition does...
对反对党的任何举动都想加以嘲笑的心理过于急切了。
② If you go to a club and you don't look right, you're sneered at...
如果你去夜总会却穿得不合时宜，人家会笑你的。
'Hypocrite,' he sneered...
“伪君子，”他不屑地说。
③ Although some may sneer, working as a secretary is for many the fastest route to career success.
有些人也许瞧不起秘书的工作，但是对于许多人来说，做秘书却是取得职业成功最为快捷的途径。
Sneer is also a noun.
④ Canete's mouth twisted in a contemptuous sneer...
卡内特傲慢而轻蔑地撇了撇嘴。
⑤ There were always those who dismissed him with a sneer, saying he wasn't British by birth.
总有人对他不屑一顾，说他不是土生土长的英国人。
