sheep
Meaning: A woolly farm animal raised for wool, meat, and milk
A sheep is a woolly farm animal raised for its wool, meat (lamb or mutton), and milk. Uniquely, 'sheep' is both singular and plural. Figuratively, calling someone a sheep suggests they follow others without thinking. 'The black sheep' refers to a family outcast, while 'counting sheep' is a traditional method for falling asleep.
Examples
- The farmer has over two hundred sheep on his land. 这位农民的土地上有两百多只羊。El granjero tiene más de doscientas ovejas en su tierra.その農家は土地に200頭以上の羊を飼っています。그 농부는 땅에 200마리 이상의 양을 기르고 있습니다.
- Don't be such a sheep - think for yourself. 不要做一只盲从的羊——要有自己的想法。No seas tan borrego - piensa por ti mismo.そんなに人の真似ばかりしないで、自分で考えなさい。남의 흉내만 내지 말고 스스로 생각하세요.
- She's always been the black sheep of the family. 她一直是家里的害群之马。Ella siempre ha sido la oveja negra de la familia.彼女はずっと家族の中の厄介者でした。그녀는 항상 가족 중의 문제아였습니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old English 'scēap', from Proto-Germanic *skæpą, of unknown further origin. Unusually, 'sheep' is both singular and plural — an ancient pattern shared with 'deer' and 'fish.'
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Story & Trivia
The word 'sheep' has remained virtually unchanged since Old English 'sceap.' English is unusual in having separate words for the animal (sheep), its meat (mutton, from French), and young (lamb) - a linguistic legacy of the Norman Conquest.
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