lucifer

/ˈluːsɪfə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈluːsɪfər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlü-sə-fər/ (ame, mw)

lucifer — noun

1. the chief fallen angel in Christian belief, often used as another name for the D

1.名詞C1
釋義

the chief fallen angel in Christian belief, often used as another name for the Devil, the most powerful evil being who opposes God.

例句

In the painting on the chapel wall, Lucifer falls from heaven into a sea of flames.

Lucifer as proper-noun subject; capitalised

Talia's grandfather warned her that pride was the sin that turned Lucifer into the Devil.

Lucifer as object of 'turned into'; religious context

同義詞
  • Satan

    most direct equivalent; far more common in everyday English

  • the Devil

    the standard everyday term; takes the article 'the'

  • the Evil One

    literary or sermon-style euphemism

  • Beelzebub

    another biblical name for the same figure; older and more literary

反義詞
  • God

    the opposing supreme being in Christian belief

  • the Almighty

    formal name for God, often paired in moral contrasts

文法句型

Lucifer + verb

as Lucifer

用法筆記

Used as a proper noun, always capitalised and without an article. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense names a specific religious figure, while sense 2 names a small everyday object.

常見錯誤

❌I read about a lucifer in the Bible.
✅I read about Lucifer in the Bible.
💡as a proper noun naming the Devil, it must be capitalised and take no article.
❌The Lucifer appears in many old paintings.
✅Lucifer appears in many old paintings.
💡no definite article with this proper noun.

2. an old type of small wooden stick with a chemical head that bursts into flame wh

2.名詞C2
釋義

an old type of small wooden stick with a chemical head that bursts into flame when you rub it against a rough surface; a friction match.

例句

The old soldier struck a lucifer against the stone wall to light his pipe.

collocation: strike a lucifer (against a surface)

Minho's great-grandfather kept a small tin of lucifers in his coat pocket.

plural form: lucifers; everyday personal object

同義詞

文法句型

a lucifer

strike a lucifer

用法筆記

Now archaic; modern English uses 'match' or 'matchstick'. Mostly seen in historical writing or old songs (e.g. the WWI song 'Pack Up Your Troubles'). Distinguish from sense 1: this sense always takes an article ('a lucifer', 'the lucifers') and is lowercase.

常見錯誤

❌I need a lucifer to start the fire.
✅I need a match to start the fire.
💡in modern speech, use 'match'; 'lucifer' sounds archaic.
❌Pass me the Lucifers.
✅Pass me the lucifers.
💡this sense is lowercase; only the Devil meaning is capitalised.