opportunistic
Meaning: Exploiting circumstances or chances as they arise, often with little regard for principles or consequences. In medicine, describing infections that affect people with weakened immune systems.
Opportunistic almost always carries a critical tone when applied to people, implying that they act on self-interest rather than principle. However, in biology and medicine, the term is neutral — an 'opportunistic infection' simply takes advantage of a weakened host. Common collocations include 'opportunistic behaviour,' 'opportunistic infection,' 'opportunistic politician,' and 'purely opportunistic.'
Examples
- Critics accused the opposition of opportunistic grandstanding, seizing on the scandal without proposing any alternative policy. 批评者指责反对派在进行机会主义式的哗众取宠,抓住丑闻大做文章而不提出任何替代政策。Los críticos acusaron a la oposición de oportunismo demagógico, aprovechando el escándalo sin proponer ninguna política alternativa.批評家たちは、野党がスキャンダルに便乗して代替政策を提示することなく日和見的なパフォーマンスを行っていると非難した。비평가들은 야당이 대안 정책을 제시하지 않은 채 스캔들에 편승하여 기회주의적 정치쇼를 벌이고 있다고 비난했다.
- Patients with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to opportunistic infections such as pneumocystis pneumonia. 免疫系统受损的患者特别容易受到肺孢子菌肺炎等机会性感染的侵害。Los pacientes con sistemas inmunitarios comprometidos son especialmente vulnerables a infecciones oportunistas como la neumonía por Pneumocystis.免疫力が低下した患者はニューモシスチス肺炎などの日和見感染に特にかかりやすい。면역력이 저하된 환자는 뉴모시스티스 폐렴과 같은 기회감염에 특히 취약하다.
- The burglary appeared opportunistic rather than planned, targeting a house whose owners had left a window open. 这起入室盗窃看起来是投机性的而非有预谋的,目标是一户主人忘记关窗的住宅。El robo parecía oportunista y no premeditado, dirigido contra una vivienda cuyo propietario había dejado una ventana abierta.その空き巣は計画的というよりも日和見的であり、窓を開けたままにしていた家を狙ったものだった。그 절도는 계획적이라기보다 기회주의적인 것으로, 창문을 열어둔 채 외출한 집을 노린 것이었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, medical, academic
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From 'opportunist,' from French 'opportuniste,' from Latin 'opportunus' meaning favourable or convenient, from 'ob-' (towards) and 'portus' (harbour) — originally describing a wind blowing towards port. The adjective entered English in the 19th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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