cork
/kɔːk/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈɔrk] /kɔːrk/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈɔrk] /ˈkȯrk/ (ame, mw)
cork — 名詞
- corksingular
- corksplural
1. A lightweight, spongy material taken from the outer bark of a specific oak tree
軟木
地中海橡樹的輕軟樹皮
A lightweight, spongy material taken from the outer bark of a specific oak tree that grows in southern Europe and northern Africa, valued for its ability to float, insulate heat, and compress; used for making items such as bottle stoppers, floor tiles, and bulletin boards.
Adina chose cork flooring for her apartment because it stays warm in winter.
Adina 為她的公寓選擇了軟木地板，因為冬天踩起來很溫暖。
collocation: cork flooring
Cork is harvested from cork oak trees every nine years without harming the tree.
軟木每隔九年從栓皮櫟樹上採收一次，不會傷害樹木。
passive: cork is harvested from [tree]
The noticeboard in Rania's kitchen is covered with a sheet of natural cork.
Rania 廚房的佈告板上覆蓋著一層天然軟木。
Wine corks are just one of the many products made from this lightweight bark material.
葡萄酒軟木塞只是這種輕質樹皮材料製成的眾多產品之一。
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to the material itself (e.g., 'The floor is made of cork'). Countable when referring to individual pieces made from it, such as bottle stoppers (see sense 2). Frequently appears as a modifier in compound nouns: cork board, cork tile, cork floor.
常見錯誤
2. A small cylindrical object, traditionally made of cork bark but also made of pla
軟木塞；瓶塞
用於密封瓶口的圓柱形塞子
A small cylindrical object, traditionally made of cork bark but also made of plastic or other materials, that fits tightly into the neck of a bottle to seal the contents inside; most commonly associated with wine bottles.
Iker carefully twisted the cork out of the bottle of red wine.
Iker 小心翼翼地將軟木塞從紅酒瓶中扭出來。
collocation: twist/pull the cork
The cork broke apart when Ryan tried to open the old bottle.
Ryan 試圖打開那瓶老酒時，軟木塞碎掉了。
A plastic cork can be easier to remove than a natural one.
塑膠軟木塞比天然軟木塞更容易拔出來。
Esme pushed the cork firmly back into the bottle to keep the drink fresh.
Esme 把軟木塞緊緊塞回瓶子裡，以保持飲料新鮮。
- stopper
broader term — fits any bottle-closing object made of any material
- bottle stopper
more explicit; commonly used for decorative or reusable stoppers
用法筆記
Countable noun. Although the traditional material is cork bark, modern stoppers made of plastic, rubber, or silicone are also commonly called corks. The phrase 'cork it!' as an informal way of telling someone to be quiet is derived from this sense.
常見錯誤
3. A county situated in the southwestern part of Ireland, known for its rugged coas
科克郡
愛爾蘭西南部最大的一郡
A county situated in the southwestern part of Ireland, known for its rugged coastline, dairy farming, and as the largest county in the country by land area.
Anthony spent a week driving through County Cork's green countryside last spring.
Anthony 去年春天花了一週時間開車遊覽科克郡的翠綠鄉間。
travel context: County Cork
County Cork is the largest county in Ireland by land area.
科克郡是愛爾蘭土地面積最大的一郡。
Many tourists visit County Cork for its dramatic coastline and historic castles.
許多觀光客來到科克郡，欣賞其壯麗的海岸線和歷史城堡。
Hui's family runs a small dairy farm in County Cork that produces award-winning cheese.
Hui 的家人在科克郡經營一座小型酪農場，生產獲獎的起司。
用法筆記
Proper noun. Always capitalised as 'County Cork'. In Irish addresses, 'Co. Cork' is the standard abbreviation. Do not confuse with Cork city, which is the urban centre within the county.
4. The second-largest city in the Republic of Ireland, serving as the main urban ce
科克市
愛爾蘭南部科克郡的港市
The second-largest city in the Republic of Ireland, serving as the main urban centre and port of County Cork, situated on the River Lee near the southern coast.
Cork city has a busy harbour where ships arrive from across the Atlantic.
科克市擁有繁忙的港口，船隻從大西洋彼岸駛入。
Cork city as a port
The university in Cork attracts students from all over the world.
科克的大學吸引來自世界各地的學生。
Ziad stayed with a host family in Cork city during his summer language course.
Ziad 在夏季語言課程期間住在科克市的寄宿家庭裡。
Ignacio took a ferry from Cork Harbour to explore the nearby islands.
Ignacio 從科克港搭渡輪去探索附近的小島。
用法筆記
Proper noun. When distinguishing the city from the county, write 'Cork city' (lowercase 'c') or 'Cork City' with capitals for the administrative body. The harbour, Cork Harbour, is one of the largest natural harbours in the world.
常見錯誤
cork — 動詞
- corkpresent simple I / you / we / they
- corks3rd person singular
- corking-ing form
- corkedpast simple
1. To seal a bottle or other container by inserting a cork or similar fitting stopp
塞瓶；封瓶
用軟木塞封閉瓶口
To seal a bottle or other container by inserting a cork or similar fitting stopper into its opening, preventing the contents from spilling or going stale.
After pouring herself a glass, Reema corked the bottle and returned it to the shelf.
Reema 給自己倒了一杯酒後，把瓶子塞好放回架上。
sequence: pour then cork
The wines at this vineyard are still corked by hand using traditional methods.
這家酒莊的葡萄酒仍然以傳統方式由手工塞瓶。
passive: corked by hand
Dario corked the bottle tightly before putting it in the fridge.
Dario 把瓶子緊緊塞好，然後放進冰箱。
You should cork the bottle right away so the soda does not go flat.
你應該立刻把瓶子塞好，這樣汽水才不會沒氣。
- uncork
direct opposite — to remove the cork from a bottle
文法句型
cork + bottle/container
用法筆記
The direct opposite is 'uncork'. Frequently used in the passive voice when describing traditional wine-making processes. This verb is less common in everyday speech than phrases like 'put the cork in' or 'close with a cork'.