squinting
目を細める
解説 Definition
squinting は squint（目を細める）の動名詞・現在分詞です。まぶしいときや、遠くのものをよく見ようとするときに目を細める動作を表します。
Squinting is the act of partly closing the eyes, typically because of bright light or in an effort to see something more clearly. It is also the present participle of squint and can describe someone performing that action.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
原形 squint「目を細める」に -ing を付けた動名詞・現在分詞で、語末の t は重ねず squinting となる。bright sun、small letters、遠くの標識など、まぶしさや見えにくさのためにまぶたを狭める場面と結び付ける。動詞としては /ˈskwɪntɪŋ/ と発音する。
Start with the base verb squint, meaning to narrow the eyes. Add -ing directly, without doubling the final t, to form squinting, pronounced /ˈskwɪntɪŋ/. Link it to two typical situations: bright sunlight makes you partly close your eyes, and tiny print makes you narrow them in an attempt to focus. As a gerund, squinting names the action, as in “Too much squinting”; as a present participle, it describes an ongoing action, as in “She was squinting at the letters.”
例文
Squinting in the bright sun, he looked for the sign.
彼は明るい日差しに目を細めながら、看板を探しました。
She was squinting at the small letters on the page.
彼女はページの小さな文字に目を細めていました。
Too much squinting may mean you need new glasses.
目を細めることが多すぎるなら、新しい眼鏡が必要かもしれません。
squinting の類義語・関連語
squinting の語源・成り立ち Etymology
squinting は squint「目を細めて斜めに見る」の名詞形で、中英語 asquint にさかのぼり、さらに古い語源はやや不詳です。核にあるのは「斜め・横目で」という感覚で、そこから視線をすぼめて見る動作を表すようになりました。関連語は asquint、squint-eyed。
Squinting is the -ing form of squint. The verb is historically connected with earlier English forms such as asquint, meaning “obliquely” or “with a sideways glance,” although its deeper origin is uncertain. The modern verb developed the sense of looking with the eyes partly closed or directed imperfectly. Grammatically, adding -ing allows the form to function as a gerund naming the action or as a present participle in progressive constructions.
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