eschew
Meaning: To deliberately avoid or keep away from something, especially on moral or practical grounds.
Eschew implies a conscious, principled decision to avoid something rather than mere happenstance. It collocates naturally with violence, publicity, luxury, and convention. The word has a slightly literary register and is particularly favoured in broadsheet journalism and cultural criticism to describe someone who conspicuously rejects prevailing norms.
Examples
- The architect eschewed the fashionable minimalism of his contemporaries in favour of a more ornamental style. 这位建筑师摒弃了同时代人流行的极简主义风格,转而采用更具装饰性的设计。El arquitecto desdeñó el minimalismo de moda entre sus contemporáneos en favor de un estilo más ornamental.その建築家は同時代の流行であったミニマリズムを避け、より装飾的なスタイルを好んだ。그 건축가는 동시대인들의 유행이었던 미니멀리즘을 피하고 보다 장식적인 양식을 선호했다.
- The monastery's residents eschew all modern technology, living much as their predecessors did centuries ago. 这座修道院的居民们拒绝一切现代技术,过着与数百年前的前辈们大致相同的生活。Los residentes del monasterio rechazan toda tecnología moderna y viven de forma muy similar a como lo hacían sus predecesores hace siglos.その修道院の住人たちは一切の現代技術を避け、何世紀も前の先人たちとほとんど変わらない生活を送っている。그 수도원의 거주자들은 일체의 현대 기술을 피하며, 수백 년 전 선조들과 거의 같은 방식으로 살고 있다.
- She has always eschewed the spotlight, preferring to let her research speak for itself. 她一直避开聚光灯,宁愿让自己的研究成果来说话。Siempre ha rehuido los focos, prefiriendo que su investigación hable por sí misma.彼女は常に脚光を浴びることを避け、自分の研究に語らせることを好んできた。그녀는 항상 주목받는 것을 피하며 자신의 연구가 스스로 말하게 하는 것을 선호해왔다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, literary, academic
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old French eschiver (to shun, avoid), of Germanic origin, related to Old High German sciuhen (to frighten off). Entered English in the 14th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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