slithers
滑るように這い進む
解説 Definition
蛇のようにくねくねと滑りながら進むこと。スムーズで蛇行するような動き。
Slithers means moves smoothly and quietly with a twisting, sliding motion, like a snake. It is often used for reptiles, but it can also describe any movement that seems low, soft, and sneaky. The word usually creates a strong visual image.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
slide（滑る）や slippery（滑りやすい）を知っていれば、slither も「滑る感じ」の仲間だとつかめます。ただし slide が比較的まっすぐ滑るのに対し、slither は snake slithers through the grass のように、体をくねらせながら細長く進む動き。crawl よりも腕脚で這う感じが弱く、音もなくぬるっと進むイメージ。slithers はその三単現で、「蛇・トカゲ・影」のような主語と結びつけて覚えると残りやすいです。
Connect it with `slide` and `slippery`, because they all suggest smooth movement. But `slither` is not a straight slide: it brings to mind a long body moving in a twisting way, like a snake. `Slithers` is just the `he/she/it` form, so picture `a snake slithers through the grass`.
例文
The snake slithers across the ground silently.
蛇は静かに地面を横切ってすべる。
The creature slithers through the grass unnoticed.
生き物は気づかれずに草をすべって動く。
The eel slithers between the rocks.
ウナギが岩の間をくねくねと進む。
slithers の類義語・関連語
slithers の語源・成り立ち Etymology
slithers は slither「するすると這う」の三単現で、中英語 slitheren に由来し、古いゲルマン系の「滑る」感覚を受け継ぐ語です。slide や slippery と近い仲間で、ただ進むのでなく「ぬるりと滑って進む」像が語源にあります。
Slithers is the third-person singular form of slither. Slither comes from Middle English slitheren and belongs to an old Germanic group of words connected with sliding and slipperiness. It is related in feeling to slide and slippery, with the idea of moving in a smooth, creeping way.
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