ユーカリ
解説 Definition
eucalyptus は、ユーカリの木を意味します。日本語の「ユーカリ」とほぼ同じで、葉の香りやコアラの食べ物として話題にされることがあります。
A eucalyptus is a tree or shrub, mostly native to Australia, whose leaves often contain strongly scented oil. Eucalyptus leaves are especially associated with koalas, and the trees are also grown for timber, ornamental use, and essential oil.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
ギリシャ語 eu-「よく」＋ kalyptos「覆われた」という構成を、つぼみを帽子状のふたがしっかり覆う姿と結びつけます。eucalyptus tree、eucalyptus leaves、eucalyptus oil の組み合わせで、背の高い木、香る葉、コアラの食物という典型場面をまとめて覚えます。
Break eucalyptus into the Greek elements eu-, “well,” and kalyptos, “covered.” This refers to the caplike covering over the flower bud, so picture a tightly covered bud opening on a tall, fragrant tree. Then attach three common combinations to that image: eucalyptus tree, eucalyptus leaves, and eucalyptus oil. The scented leaves help distinguish the plant in everyday contexts, while koalas provide another strong association because eucalyptus leaves form their main food. The ending may look difficult, but learning the whole plant name through these recurring phrases is more reliable than trying to reconstruct its spelling from the shorter Japanese loanword.
例文
A tall eucalyptus stood near the path.
小道の近くに背の高いユーカリが立っていました。
The room smelled of eucalyptus leaves.
部屋にはユーカリの葉の香りがしていました。
Koalas eat eucalyptus leaves as their main food.
コアラはユーカリの葉を主な食べ物にしています。
eucalyptus の類義語・関連語
eucalyptus の語源・成り立ち Etymology
eucalyptus は近代ラテン語で、ギリシャ語 eu-「よく」＋ kalyptos「覆われた」から作られました。つぼみが帽子のように覆われる植物なので、「よく包まれた木」と考えると名の由来が見えます。関連語は eulogy, apocalypse。
Eucalyptus is a botanical name formed in modern Latin from Greek eu-, meaning “well,” and kalyptos, meaning “covered.” The name refers to the flower bud, whose developing parts are covered by a caplike structure that later falls away. It was adopted as the name of the plant genus in the late eighteenth century. The Greek root behind kalyptos also appears in apocalypse, literally involving an “uncovering,” though the modern meanings of the words are quite different.
同じレベルの語彙をもっと
外部辞書で調べる
この英単語をクイズで覚えよう