lay figure

lay figure — 名詞

1. a wooden or plastic model of a human body, with movable joints at the shoulders,

1.名詞C1
釋義

人體模型

畫家或雕塑家用來擺放衣料的可動關節人偶

a wooden or plastic model of a human body, with movable joints at the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, used by painters and sculptors to arrange fabric, clothing, or drapery so they can study how the folds and shadows will look in their finished work

例句

Esteban adjusted the lay figure's arms until the silk scarf draped across the shoulder.

Esteban 調整了人體模型的手臂，讓絲巾自然地垂落在肩膀上。

drape [fabric] across [body part] on a lay figure

The artist arranged satin on a lay figure to study the light on each fold.

藝術家把人體模型上的緞布擺好，觀察光線在每個褶皺上的效果。

常見搭配
  • adjust a lay figure
  • pose a lay figure
  • drape cloth on a lay figure
  • wooden lay figure
  • jointed lay figure
同義詞
  • mannequin

    broader term; can refer to a display dummy (not necessarily jointed or for artist's study)

  • model

    vague; general term for something used as a representation, not specific to jointed artist's tool

  • dummy

    informal; can refer to any human-shaped figure, not necessarily jointed or for drapery study

用法筆記

Distinguish from a mannequin (used for displaying finished clothes) — a lay figure is specifically a jointed studio tool for studying how fabric behaves on a body shape.

常見錯誤

The tailor used a lay figure to display the finished suit in the shop window.
The tailor used a mannequin to display the finished suit in the shop window.
a mannequin is for display; a lay figure is an artist's studio tool for studying drapery.

2. a person who is so easily controlled or influenced by others that they are compa

2.名詞C2
釋義

傀儡

毫無主見、任由他人操控的人

a person who is so easily controlled or influenced by others that they are compared to a puppet — someone who follows instructions without independent thought or will

例句

Opponents called the prime minister a mere lay figure for the corporate lobbyists.

反對者指稱總理只是企業遊說團體的傀儡。

mere lay figure for [group] — indicates the real power lies elsewhere

The elderly CEO had become a lay figure, nodding at decisions the board already made.

這位年邁的執行長已淪為傀儡，只會對董事會早已決定的提案點頭。

常見搭配
  • mere lay figure
  • nothing but a lay figure
  • reduced to a lay figure
  • lay figure for [group/institution]
同義詞
  • puppet

    more common and direct; suggests someone is openly controlled by another person

  • figurehead

    suggests a person with a title but no real authority; slightly more neutral than 'lay figure'

  • pawn

    suggests being used as part of a larger game by others; emphasises expendability

反義詞
  • leader

    someone who makes independent decisions and directs others

  • free agent

    someone who acts on their own will, not controlled by others

用法筆記

almost always used with qualifying language such as 'mere', 'nothing but', or 'reduced to being' to emphasise the contrast between appearance and real power. typically negative and critical in tone.

常見錯誤

He is a lay figure in the organisation.
He is nothing more than a lay figure in the organisation.
the phrase usually needs a downtoner ('mere', 'nothing but') to make the figurative meaning clear.