vagary

英 ['veɪg(ə)rɪ] 美

vagary (n.): 1570s, "a wandering, a roaming journey," from Italian vagare or directly from Latin vagari "to wander, stroll about, roam, be unsettled, spread abroad," from vagus "roving, wandering" (see vague). The infinitive appears to have been adopted in English as a noun and conformed to nouns in -ary, "but this can hardly be explained except as an orig. university use" [Century Dictionary]. Current meaning of "eccentric notion or conduct" (1620s) is from notion of mental wandering. Related: Vagaries.

1. The style of vagary and ghastfulness and the sense of mystery are full of thestory of Allan.: 爱伦的小说风格奇特恐怖,充满了神秘感.

2. The building of this house in the shape of the temple was a rich man's vagary.: 这栋房屋庙宇式的外形,是一位富人的奇想.

3. The trial highlighted the issue as a major vagary of doing business in China.: 对力拓管理人员的审判让人看到,这个问题是在中国经商的一个重大不确定因素.