backcloth
/ˈbækklɒθ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbækklɔːθ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbak-ˌklȯth How to pronounce backcloth (audio)/ (ame, mw)
backcloth — 名詞
1. a large cloth panel with a scene painted on it, fixed across the rear of a stage
舞台布景
掛在舞台後方的大型彩繪布幕
a large cloth panel with a scene painted on it, fixed across the rear of a stage to create the setting for a play or other show
Felipe painted a moonlit harbor on the backcloth for tonight's opera.
Felipe 在今晚歌劇的舞台布景上畫了一座月夜港口。
collocation: paint a backcloth for [show]
During rehearsal, David helped hang the backcloth behind the wooden bridge set.
彩排時，David 幫忙把舞台布景掛在木橋佈景後方。
The school play looked richer once Talia added clouds to the backcloth.
Talia 在舞台布景上加了雲朵後，這齣校園戲看起來更豐富了。
When the fan started, the backcloth moved slightly and revealed the lights.
風扇一開，舞台布景微微晃動，露出了後面的燈光。
用法筆記
Used in theatre for one specific large cloth at the back of the stage. Distinguish from scenery or set, which can include many other stage elements besides this single cloth.
2. the landscape or other visible background appearing behind the main thing you ar
後景
主體後方可看見的景物
the landscape or other visible background appearing behind the main thing you are looking at
The snowy hills formed a quiet backcloth to the red fishing boats.
覆雪的山丘成了紅色漁船後方安靜的後景。
pattern: form a backcloth to [main image]
Behind the dancers, the stone wall provided a warm backcloth for the photos.
在舞者身後，那面石牆成了照片溫暖的後景。
From the train, Eri saw wheat fields create a golden backcloth beyond the town.
在火車上，Eri 看見麥田在城鎮外形成一片金色後景。
The dark trees gave the white temple a dramatic backcloth at sunset.
夕陽下，深色樹林成了白色寺廟戲劇性的後景。
- background
the broadest and most neutral word for what appears behind something
- setting
often includes the whole place or environment, not only the visible background
- scene
more general; can refer to the whole view rather than the part behind a focus
用法筆記
This sense is literary or journalistic. Unlike sense 1, the background here is an actual scene or landscape, not fabric hanging on a stage.
3. the wider social, political, or economic situation surrounding an event and help
背景情勢
事件背後的大環境與情況
the wider social, political, or economic situation surrounding an event and helping explain it
The talks took place against a backcloth of rising food prices.
這場談判是在糧價上漲的背景情勢下進行的。
set phrase: against a backcloth of
Against a backcloth of civil war, the film tells a quiet love story.
在內戰的背景情勢下，這部電影講述了一段安靜的愛情故事。
Public anger over rent was the backcloth to Pedro's election victory.
民眾對房租的憤怒，成了 Pedro 勝選的背景情勢。
Political uncertainty formed the backcloth to Saira's decision to open a bakery.
政治上的不確定性，成了 Saira 決定開麵包店時的背景情勢。
- background
more common and neutral for the general situation behind events
- context
focuses on facts and circumstances rather than a metaphorical scene
- climate
often stresses a public mood or social atmosphere
用法筆記
Most often used in formal writing to frame an event with its broader conditions, especially in the phrase against a backcloth of. Distinguish from sense 2, which refers to a literal visual background.