在英语词汇辨析中,understand与overstand的差异非常值得深入探讨:
1. 词源与基本词义
- understand(理解)
源自古英语"understandan",由under(在...之下)+ stand(站立)构成,字面意为"站在...之下",引申为"充分领会"
- overstand(过度解读)
由over(超过)+ stand(站立)构成,字面意为"站在...之上",现代英语中属于罕见用法
2. 现代用法对比
understand的常见用法:
a) 常规理解(I understand the theory)
b) 隐含同情(I understand your fee ...(以上内容有节略,please sign in for more)
perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker)
perceive the significance, explanation, or cause of
interpret or view (something) in a particular way
infer something from information received (often used as a polite formula in conversation)
regard (a missing word, phrase, or idea) as present
assume to be the case; take for granted
be sympathetically or knowledgeably aware of the character or nature of
To stand over (formerly especially so as to guard or intimidate); to stand higher than or above.
Oxford Univ."to be overstanding for honours": to be ineligible for honours in an examination because more than the permitted number of terms (normally twelve) has elapsed since one's matriculation.
Sailing. To sail past (a line or mark indicating the course of a race) by staying on a tack for too long.
And without object. To understand. Now used (especially in Caribbean and African-American usage) to avoid the negative connotations of under, perceived as incompatible with the positive meaning of the verb.
And without object. Contrasted with understand in other ways, as: to understand more than is necessary or desirable; to analyse excessively; to understand fully.
To have just and adequate ideas of; to apprehended the meaning or intention of; to have knowledge of; to comprehend; to know; as, to understand a problem in Euclid; to understand a proposition or a declaration; the court understands the advocate or his argument; to understand the sacred oracles; to understand a nod or a wink.
To be apprised, or have information, of; to learn; to be informed of; to hear; as, I understand that Congress has passed the bill.
To recognize or hold as being or signifying; to suppose to mean; to interpret; to explain.
To mean without expressing; to imply tacitly; to take for granted; to assume.
To stand under; to support.
To have the use of the intellectual faculties; to be an intelligent being.
To be informed; to have or receive knowledge.
To stand on the price or conditions of, so as to lose a sale; to lose by an extravagant price or hard conditions.
perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker)
perceive the significance, explanation, or cause of
interpret or view (something) in a particular way
infer something from information received (often used as a polite formula in conversation)
regard (a missing word, phrase, or idea) as present
assume to be the case; take for granted
be sympathetically or knowledgeably aware of the character or nature of
To stand over (formerly especially so as to guard or intimidate); to stand higher than or above.
Oxford Univ."to be overstanding for honours": to be ineligible for honours in an examination because more than the permitted number of terms (normally twelve) has elapsed since one's matriculation.
Sailing. To sail past (a line or mark indicating the course of a race) by staying on a tack for too long.
And without object. To understand. Now used (especially in Caribbean and African-American usage) to avoid the negative connotations of under, perceived as incompatible with the positive meaning of the verb.
And without object. Contrasted with understand in other ways, as: to understand more than is necessary or desirable; to analyse excessively; to understand fully.
To have just and adequate ideas of; to apprehended the meaning or intention of; to have knowledge of; to comprehend; to know; as, to understand a problem in Euclid; to understand a proposition or a declaration; the court understands the advocate or his argument; to understand the sacred oracles; to understand a nod or a wink.
To be apprised, or have information, of; to learn; to be informed of; to hear; as, I understand that Congress has passed the bill.
To recognize or hold as being or signifying; to suppose to mean; to interpret; to explain.
To mean without expressing; to imply tacitly; to take for granted; to assume.
To stand under; to support.
To have the use of the intellectual faculties; to be an intelligent being.
To be informed; to have or receive knowledge.
To stand on the price or conditions of, so as to lose a sale; to lose by an extravagant price or hard conditions.