talent

• n. 才能；天才；天资

词态变化

助记提示

中文词源

来自拉丁语 talentum,重量，一定数目的钱，来自希腊语 talanton,称量，一定的重量，一定数 目的钱，来自 PIE*tele,举起，称重，词源同 extol,tolerate.据考证，1 talent 为 6000 古希腊货 币 drachma,在当时为一大笔钱。现词义来自圣经的一则寓言，讲得是主人要出远门，按能力 给了三个奴隶一个 5 talenta,一个 2 talenta,一个 1talent,很久以后主人回来了，前两个奴隶用钱 投资钱生钱，最后一个奴隶把钱埋在地底下，主人生气的说，即使你不会投资，你把钱存入 银行至少也有利息啊，我要没收你的钱，把钱交给有能力的人。后引申词义天才，天资等。

英文词源

talent

talent: [13] Greek tálanton meant ‘balance, weight’, and hence ‘unit of weight or money’. Latin borrowed it as talentum, using it metaphorically for ‘mental inclination’, and it was in this sense that English originally acquired it, via Old French talent. ‘Unit of money’ did not arrive (apart from one isolated Old English instance) until the late 14th century, and it was the use of the word in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30), in which a master gave his servants talents (money), which two of them put out to interest, earning their master’s approval, while the other less enterprising servant simply buried his, that led in the early 15th century to the use of the term for ‘aptitude, ability’.

talent (n.)

late 13c., "inclination, disposition, will, desire," from Old French talent (12c.), from Medieval Latin talenta, plural of talentum "inclination, leaning, will, desire" (11c.), in classical Latin "balance, weight; sum of money," from Greek talanton "a balance, pair of scales," hence "weight, definite weight, anything weighed," and in later times sum of money," from PIE *tele- "to lift, support, weigh," "with derivatives referring to measured weights and thence money and payment" [Watkins]; see extol.

An ancient denomination of weight, originally Babylonian (though the name is Greek), and varying widely in value among different peoples and at different times. [Century Dictionary]

According to Liddell & Scott, as a monetary sum, considered to consist of 6,000 drachmae, or, in Attica, 57.75 lbs. of silver. Also borrowed in other Germanic languages and Celtic. Attested in Old English as talente). The Medieval Latin and common Romanic sense developed from figurative use of the word in the sense of "money." Meaning "special natural ability, aptitude, gift committed to one for use and improvement" developed by mid-15c., in part perhaps from figurative sense "wealth," but mostly from the parable of the talents in Matt. xxv:14-30. Meaning "persons of ability collectively" is from 1856.

双语例句

1. Talent, hard work and sheer tenacity are all crucial to career success.

事业要成功，才能、勤奋和顽强的意志都至关重要。

来自柯林斯例句

2. I believe I have the talent to make it.

我相信自己有成功的天分。

来自柯林斯例句

3. With nothing but his own talent, he made himself rich and famous.

他一无所有，仅靠自身才能就变得富有而出名。

来自柯林斯例句

4. Kauffman was a woman of unique talent and determination.

考夫曼是一个有着超群才智和决断力的女子。

来自柯林斯例句

5. The festival remains a valuable showcase for new talent.

音乐节一直是新秀展示才华的宝贵机会。

来自柯林斯例句