sinister

• adj. 阴险的；凶兆的；灾难性的；左边的

来自古法语 sinistre,向左的，不利的，来自拉丁语 sinister,左边。词义演变来自“左”在古代 与邪恶，凶恶相联系的隐含义。比较 dextrose,右旋糖，dexterity,灵巧，灵活。

1. threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments;

"a baleful look"

"forbidding thunderclouds"

"his tone became menacing"

"ominous rumblings of discontent"

"sinister storm clouds"

"a sinister smile"

"his threatening behavior"

"ugly black clouds"

"the situation became ugly"

2. stemming from evil characteristics or forces; wicked or dishonorable;

"black deeds"

"a black lie"

"his black heart has concocted yet another black deed"

"Darth Vader of the dark side"

"a dark purpose"

"dark undercurrents of ethnic hostility"

"the scheme of some sinister intelligence bent on punishing him"-Thomas Hardy

3. on or starting from the wearer's left;

"bar sinister"

sinister

sinister: see left

sinister (adj.)

early 15c., "prompted by malice or ill-will, intending to mislead," from Old French senestre, sinistre "contrary, false; unfavorable; to the left" (14c.), from Latin sinister "left, on the left side" (opposite of dexter), of uncertain origin. Perhaps meaning properly "the slower or weaker hand" [Tucker], but Klein and Buck suggest it's a euphemism (see left (adj.)) connected with the root of Sanskrit saniyan "more useful, more advantageous." With contrastive or comparative suffix -ter, as in dexter (see dexterity).

The Latin word was used in augury in the sense of "unlucky, unfavorable" (omens, especially bird flights, seen on the left hand were regarded as portending misfortune), and thus sinister acquired a sense of "harmful, unfavorable, adverse." This was from Greek influence, reflecting the early Greek practice of facing north when observing omens. In genuine Roman auspices, the augurs faced south and left was favorable. Thus sinister also retained a secondary sense in Latin of "favorable, auspicious, fortunate, lucky."

Meaning "evil" is from late 15c. Used in heraldry from 1560s to indicate "left, to the left." Bend (not "bar") sinister in heraldry indicates illegitimacy and preserves the literal sense of "on or from the left side" (though in heraldry this is from the view of the bearer of the shield, not the observer of it).

When I faced difficult work, like thinking through an article idea or editing the same draft for the hundredth time, for example, a more sinister screen would draw me in.

2017年12月六级真题（第一套）阅读 Section B

There was something cold and sinister about him.

他给人一种冷酷阴险的感觉。

牛津词典

There is another, more sinister, possibility.

还有另一种更糟糕的可能。

牛津词典

There was something sinister about him that she found disturbing.

他身上有种邪恶的东西让她很不安。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

...a sinister and frightening place.

一个邪恶而恐怖的地方

柯林斯高阶英语词典

His misery was depicted in sinister lines on his countenance.'

他脸上那种阴险的皱纹勾勒出了他的痛苦.

期刊摘选

The appearance of good will cloak a sinister intention.

友善的外表掩盖了阴险的企图.

期刊摘选

The sinister news broke upon the world like an explosion.

这个不幸的消息,好象一个炸弹一样在全世界爆炸.

辞典例句

To observe the changes of ventriculus sinister cordis configuration and function of heroin addicts.

目的:观察海洛因依赖者的左心构型与左心功能变化,并进行左室充盈状态评价.

期刊摘选

Yet, far more sinister events take place behind the scenes.

但是, 布景中的世界中有远比现实险恶的事情发生.

期刊摘选

The two of them were silent , faces set in a sinister cast.

那两个人都板着脸一声不吭像是十分阴险.

汉英文学 - 散文英译

In your remarks you allude to certain sinister development.

你在讲话中暗示某种不祥的事要发生.

辞典例句

Sinister sly real person has been superseded.

阴险狡猾的真人已经被淘汰.

期刊摘选

The robber had sinister intentions.

那个强盗用心险恶.

期刊摘选

Plainly, the British had not troubled to inquire into his highly sinister record.

显然, 英国人还没有费力去调查一下他那非常见不得人的履历.

辞典例句

The sinister atmosphere of the place left an indelible imprint on my memory.

此处不祥的氛围在我的记忆中刻下了不可磨灭的印记.

《简明英汉词典》

" It'seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business. "

“ 在我看来,这是个最隐秘的、最阴险的案子. ”

期刊摘选

Sinister actually means something evil and threatening.

你研究过sinister这个词吗?

期刊摘选

He's sinister and ruthless , and has entrapped many innocent people.

他为人阴险毒辣,坑害过很多无辜的好人.

期刊摘选

Good day, age about forty, height about five feet nine, a sinister expression!

日安, 年纪四十左右, 身高五英尺九左右, 一种阴险的表情!

期刊摘选

There is something sinister at the back of that series of crimes.

在这一系列罪行背后有险恶的阴谋.

《简明英汉词典》

In your remarks you alluded to a certain sinister design.

在你的谈话中,你提到了某个阴谋.

《简明英汉词典》

His sinister threat chilled all who heard it.

他这一凶恶的威胁使所有听到的人不寒而栗.

期刊摘选

Their proposals are all worthless and designed out of sinister motives.

他们的建议不仅一钱不值,而且包藏祸心.

《现代汉英综合大词典》

He was a sinister and crafty speculator.

他是一个险诈的投机商.

《现代汉英综合大词典》

There was something cold and sinister about him.

他给人一种冷酷阴险的感觉。

《牛津高阶英汉双解词典》

There is nothing sinister or conspiratorial about the export licensing system.

这种出口许可制度没有任何阴险或者见不得人的东西。

柯林斯例句

The more sinister explanation is that he is about to make mischief in the Middle East again.

更为险恶的解释是，他准备再次在中东地区制造事端。

柯林斯例句