lameness
/ˈleɪmnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈleɪmnəs/ (ame, ipa)
lameness — 名詞
1. a physical state where someone or something — usually an animal — moves with dif
跛行；跛足
腿或腳因受傷或無力而無法正常走路
a physical state where someone or something — usually an animal — moves with difficulty because one leg, foot, or hoof is injured, painful, or too weak to bear normal weight
The horse was sent home from the race after the vet noticed lameness in its left back leg.
獸醫發現那匹馬的左後腿有跛行現象，於是比賽結束後就被送回家了。
common veterinary context: lameness in [body part]
Sven's lameness got worse over the winter, and his doctor told him to start using a walking stick.
Sven 的跛行情況在冬天變得更嚴重，醫生告訴他要開始拄拐杖。
possessive: someone's lameness, as a long-term condition
Years of working in the cold mines had left Baraka with a permanent lameness in both knees.
多年在寒冷的礦坑裡工作，讓 Baraka 雙膝留下了永久的跛足。
The dog hid its lameness for weeks until the family noticed it could no longer jump onto the sofa.
那隻狗把自己的跛足藏了好幾週，直到家人發現牠再也跳不上沙發。
Camila's lameness from the car accident slowly improved after six months of physical therapy.
Camila 因車禍造成的跛行，在六個月的物理治療後慢慢好轉。
- limp
a limp is the visible walking pattern; lameness is the underlying condition
- disability
broader term; covers many physical and mental limits, not just walking
用法筆記
Frequently used in veterinary contexts to describe animals (horses, dogs, cattle). For humans, often signals a long-term or noticeable problem rather than a temporary limp.
常見錯誤
2. a poor or unconvincing nature — used to point out that an excuse, argument, joke
薄弱；牽強
說法、藉口或作品軟弱無力或站不住腳
a poor or unconvincing nature — used to point out that an excuse, argument, joke, or piece of work has no real force and fails to do its job
The lameness of his excuse for being late made everyone in the meeting laugh.
他遲到的藉口實在太牽強，整個會議室的人都笑了出來。
the lameness of [excuse / argument / answer]
Karim could not hide the lameness of his explanation when his sister asked where the cookies had gone.
當妹妹問餅乾跑去哪裡時，Karim 完全藏不住自己解釋的薄弱。
Critics pointed out the lameness of the film's ending, where every problem was solved in two minutes.
影評人指出了這部電影結局的牽強，所有問題都在兩分鐘內被解決。
The lameness of the new policy became clear when nobody could explain how it would actually help.
當沒有人能說清楚新政策到底能幫上什麼忙時，它的薄弱就顯而易見了。
Yumi rolled her eyes at the lameness of the party games her boss had picked.
Yumi 對老闆挑選的派對遊戲有多薄弱無趣，翻了一個大白眼。
- weakness
broader; can apply to many things including arguments, characters, and physical strength
- feebleness
more formal; emphasises lack of force or energy
- strength
general opposite when describing arguments or excuses
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the pattern 'the lameness of [something]', especially with excuses, arguments, jokes, or creative works. Carries a clearly critical tone.