exiguous
Meaning: Extremely small or scanty; insufficient in amount or extent. A formal word used to emphasise how meagre or inadequate something is.
Exiguous is a distinctly literary and formal adjective, rarely encountered in everyday speech but appearing in quality journalism, legal writing, and academic prose. It conveys not merely smallness but an implied criticism — that something is inadequately small for its purpose. The word often collocates with 'resources,' 'budget,' 'income,' and 'evidence,' and carries a slightly arch or sardonic tone when used by broadsheet columnists.
Examples
- The charity was expected to serve an entire borough on an exiguous annual budget of just forty thousand pounds. 该慈善机构被要求以仅四万英镑的微薄年度预算服务整个行政区。Se esperaba que la organización benéfica atendiera a todo un distrito con un exiguo presupuesto anual de apenas cuarenta mil libras.その慈善団体は、わずか4万ポンドという極めて少ない年間予算で、行政区全体にサービスを提供することを求められていた。그 자선단체는 겨우 4만 파운드라는 극히 적은 연간 예산으로 행정구 전체에 서비스를 제공해야 했다.
- Critics noted the exiguous evidence presented by the prosecution, arguing it was wholly insufficient to secure a conviction. 批评者指出检方提出的证据极为薄弱,认为完全不足以定罪。Los críticos señalaron las exiguas pruebas presentadas por la acusación, argumentando que eran del todo insuficientes para obtener una condena.批評家たちは検察側が提示した証拠の乏しさを指摘し、有罪判決を得るにはまったく不十分であると主張した。비평가들은 검찰이 제시한 증거의 빈약함을 지적하며, 유죄 판결을 받기에는 전혀 불충분하다고 주장했다.
- The author produced a surprisingly compelling narrative from the exiguous historical records available for the period. 作者从该时期极其有限的历史记录中,出人意料地编织出了一个引人入胜的叙事。La autora logró construir una narrativa sorprendentemente convincente a partir de los exiguos registros históricos disponibles sobre el período.著者は、その時代に関する極めて限られた歴史的記録から、驚くほど説得力のある物語を紡ぎ出した。저자는 그 시대에 관해 극히 제한된 역사적 기록으로부터 놀라울 정도로 설득력 있는 서사를 만들어냈다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional
Tone: critical
Origin & History
From Latin exiguus (small, meagre, scanty), from exigere (to weigh, measure out). Entered English in the 17th century, remaining firmly in the literary register.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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