docile
Meaning: Easily managed, taught, or controlled; submissive and compliant. Often used of animals but also of people who are unresisting or meek.
Docile can be neutral (describing a well-behaved animal) or subtly critical (implying a person lacks spirit or independence). When applied to people, it often carries a faintly negative connotation, suggesting passivity or an unwillingness to challenge authority. It appears in political commentary ('a docile electorate'), education ('docile students'), and animal husbandry.
Examples
- The pony was remarkably docile and well-suited to young riders. 这匹小马非常温驯,很适合年幼的骑手。El poni era extraordinariamente dócil y muy adecuado para jinetes jóvenes.そのポニーは驚くほど従順で、幼い乗り手に最適だった。그 조랑말은 놀라울 정도로 순종적이어서 어린 기수에게 안성맞춤이었다.
- The workforce proved far less docile than management had anticipated when the redundancies were announced. 当裁员消息公布时,劳动力远没有管理层预期的那样驯服。La plantilla resultó mucho menos dócil de lo que la dirección había previsto cuando se anunciaron los despidos.人員整理が発表された際、従業員は経営陣が予想していたほど従順ではなかった。인원 감축이 발표되자 직원들은 경영진이 예상했던 것보다 훨씬 덜 순종적이었다.
- He accused the press of being too docile in its questioning of government ministers. 他指责新闻界在质问政府大臣时过于驯服。Acusó a la prensa de ser demasiado dócil en sus preguntas a los ministros del gobierno.彼は報道機関が政府大臣への質問においてあまりにも従順だと批判した。그는 언론이 정부 장관에 대한 질문에서 지나치게 순종적이라고 비판했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general, journalism, academic
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin docilis (easily taught), from docere (to teach). Entered English in the 15th century with the original sense of 'ready to learn,' which gradually shifted to 'easily controlled.'
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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