petrel: [17] The petrel, a gull-like seabird, is alleged to have been named after the apostle Peter, supposedly inspired by the resemblance between the petrel’s habit of flying close to the surface of the sea and touching it with its feet, and Peter’s reported feat of walking on the water, as reported in Matthew 14:29 – ‘And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus’
petrel (n.)
seabird, 1670s, pitteral, modern spelling first recorded 1703 by English explorer William Dampier (1651-1715), who wrote the bird was so called from its way of flying with its feet just skimming the surface of the water, which recalls the apostle's walk on the sea of Galilee (Matt. xiv:28); if so, it likely was formed in English as a diminutive of Peter (Late Latin Petrus). If this is folk etymology, the true source of the name is undiscovered. French pétrel (1760) probably is from English.
双语例句
1. Sinclair Lewis was stormy petrel in his life as in his books.
辛克莱·刘易斯在他的生活中也像他的书中一样是个制造麻烦的人.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. The petrel came winnowing in from afar on the sea.
海燕从遥远的地方振翼飞来.
来自辞典例句
3. He's a stormy petrel.
他是个坏星宿.
来自互联网
4. The petrel rode the storm.
海燕在暴风雨中飞掠.
来自互联网
5. At last, one of the company's most skillful " trouble - shooters " was sent to interview this stormy petrel.
