antenna
antenna — noun
1. one of two thin, flexible stalks growing from the head of an insect, lobster, or
one of two thin, flexible stalks growing from the head of an insect, lobster, or similar creature, which the animal moves around to feel, smell, or taste things in its surroundings.
The ant waved its antennae over the sugar before carrying a grain home.
plural form: antennae for animals
Uri watched a moth fold its feathery antennae against the porch light.
Lobsters use their long antennae to sense food hidden in the dark sea floor.
When Tariq touched the snail, it pulled both antennae back into its head.
The beetle's antennae twitched as it climbed across Dr. Hana's notebook.
用法筆記
The plural for animal organs is usually 'antennae' /ænˈtɛni/ in scientific or careful writing, though 'antennas' is also accepted in everyday English.
常見錯誤
2. a metal rod, wire, or dish attached to a radio, television, car, or phone, which
a metal rod, wire, or dish attached to a radio, television, car, or phone, which picks up or sends out signals so the device can receive or broadcast sound, pictures, or data.
Kenji climbed onto the roof to fix the bent television antenna after the storm.
fix / install + antenna
The old taxi had a long silver antenna sticking up from the back window.
Mountain rescuers used a portable antenna to pick up the climber's weak radio signal.
Xander twisted the small antenna on the radio until the music came through clearly.
A huge dish antenna on the hill sends television programs across the whole valley.
用法筆記
Common in American English; British speakers more often say 'aerial' for the same object. Plural is 'antennas' (not 'antennae') when talking about equipment.
常見錯誤
3. an instinctive feel for picking up small clues about people, moods, or danger, u
an instinctive feel for picking up small clues about people, moods, or danger, used to describe someone who quickly senses what is really going on around them.
A good teacher needs antennae for spotting which child is quietly upset.
antennae for + V-ing or noun phrase
Detective Park's political antennae warned her that the witness was hiding something.
[adjective] + antennae
Tariq's antennae went up the moment her brother smiled too sweetly at dinner.
Years on the trading floor had given Uri sharp antennae for market trouble.
Good journalists keep their antennae out for stories that other reporters miss.
- intuition
more general; an inner feeling without focus on small clues
- instinct
stronger, often automatic; less about reading subtle signals
- sixth sense
informal; suggests almost mysterious awareness
- obliviousness
complete failure to notice what is happening around one
文法句型
have antennae for + noun
antennae be up
用法筆記
Almost always plural ('antennae' or 'antennas'). Frequently modified by an adjective (political, social, sharp, fine) showing what kind of awareness is meant. Distinguish from sense 1: this is metaphorical and refers to perception, not a physical organ.