【趣谈英语】孔雀只有公的-Peacocks Are Always Male

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

 

technically¹ speaking: according to the rules or conventions

neutral: (gender) neither male nor female

strut²: to walk around proudly 

plumage: feathers

pigment³: the natural colouring in plants or animals

delicacy⁴: an expensive or rare treat to eat

polygamous: keeps many mates

monogamous: keeps only one mate

 

Peacocks Are Always Male

The word “peacock” is commonly used to describe male and female birds. Technically speaking, only males are “peacocks”. A female is a “peahen”. The neutral term for these birds is “peafowl”. The male is the pheasant with the colourful train. He struts⁵ around with his beautiful plumage to attract females. This is where the expression “proud as a peacock” comes from. The peacock’s feathers appear different colours depending on the angle of the light. Have you ever seen a white peacock or peahen? White peafowl are missing a pigment. They are sometimes called albino peacocks. In the wild, peacocks are polygamous. They typically keep a harem of about 2-5 females. Wild peafowl like to gather in groups called “parties”. In captivity⁶, peacocks are often monogamous. They can be kept as pets, though the annoying sound they make during mating season is irritating to home dwellers⁷ and neighbours.

1 technically   

adv.专门地，技术上地

参考例句：

• Technically it is the most advanced equipment ever.从技术上说，这是最先进的设备。
• The tomato is technically a fruit,although it is eaten as a vegetable.严格地说，西红柿是一种水果，尽管它是当作蔬菜吃的。

2 strut   

v.肿胀，鼓起；大摇大摆地走；炫耀；支撑；撑开；n.高视阔步；支柱，撑杆

参考例句：

• The circulation economy development needs the green science and technology innovation as the strut.循环经济的发展需要绿色科技创新生态化作为支撑。
• Now we'll strut arm and arm.这会儿咱们可以手挽着手儿，高视阔步地走了。

3 pigment   

n.天然色素，干粉颜料

参考例句：

• The Romans used natural pigments on their fabrics and walls.古罗马人在织物和墙壁上使用天然颜料。
• Who thought he might know what the skin pigment phenomenon meant.他自认为可能知道皮肤色素出现这种现象到底是怎么回事。

4 delicacy   

n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴

参考例句：

• We admired the delicacy of the craftsmanship.我们佩服工艺师精巧的手艺。
• He sensed the delicacy of the situation.他感觉到了形势的微妙。

5 struts   

（框架的）支杆( strut的名词复数 )； 支柱； 趾高气扬的步态； （尤指跳舞或表演时）卖弄

参考例句：

• The struts are firmly braced. 那些支柱上得很牢靠。
• The Struts + EJB framework is described in part four. 三、介绍Struts+EJB框架的技术组成：Struts框架和EJB组件技术。

6 captivity   

n.囚禁；被俘；束缚

参考例句：

• A zoo is a place where live animals are kept in captivity for the public to see.动物园是圈养动物以供公众观看的场所。
• He was held in captivity for three years.他被囚禁叁年。

7 dwellers   

n.居民，居住者( dweller的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City dwellers think country folk have provincial attitudes. 城里人以为乡下人思想迂腐。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They have transformed themselves into permanent city dwellers. 他们已成为永久的城市居民。 来自《简明英汉词典》