zoo: [19] Greek zóion meant ‘animal’ (it came from the Indo-European base *gwei-, which also lies behind English biology, quick, and vital). From it was formed modern Latin zōologia ‘study of animals’, which English adapted as zoology [17]. Zoological was derived from this in the 19th century, and when the Zoological Society of London opened their exhibition of live wild animals in Regent’s Park in 1829, they called it the Zoological Gardens. This was soon abbreviated to ‘the Zoological’, and by the mid 1840s it had shrunk further to zoo. => biology, quick, vital
c. 1847, short for Zoological Gardens of the London Zoological Society, established 1828 in Regent's Park to house the society's collection of wild animals. The first three letters taken as one syllable. "From a mere vulgarism, this corruption has passed into wide colloquial use" [Century Dictionary]. Slang meaning "crowded and chaotic place" first recorded 1935.
双语例句
1. There's a zoo round here? That's dandy for my kids.
这附近有个动物园？我的孩子们一定会很高兴的。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The zoo was budgeting for 850,000 visitors this year.
动物园在编制预算时预计今年游客会达85万。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Four rescue plans are vying to save the zoo.
4个拯救动物园的方案正争得不可开交。
来自柯林斯例句
4. To me the only justification for a zoo is educational.
对我来说，动物园存在的唯一正当理由是其教育作用。
来自柯林斯例句
5. I agree that the demise of London zoo would be terrible.
