Limbo



GRE Barron

解释

GRE 红宝书

• n. 不稳定, 中间状态
• ［英］ n. 不稳定, 中间状态 ( any intermediate, indeterminate state or condition)
• ［记］ 原指地狱的边境, 分割记忆: limb+o

Webster Collegiate

I. noun (plural limbos)

• Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin, ablative of limbus limbo, from Latin, border
• Date: 14th century
• 1. often capitalized an abode of souls that are according to Roman Catholic theology barred from heaven because of not having received Christian baptism
• 2.
  • a. a place or state of restraint or confinement
  • b. a place or state of neglect or oblivion <proposals kept in limbo>
  • c. an intermediate or transitional place or state
  • d. a state of uncertainty

II. noun (plural limbos)

• Etymology: English of Trinidad & Barbados; akin to Jamaican English limba to bend, from English ［sup］3［/sup］limber
• Date: circa 1950
• a dance or contest that involves bending over backwards and passing under a horizontal pole lowered slightly for each successive pass

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