whimper(动词/名词):(因害怕、痛苦、委屈等)呜咽、抽噎般地小声哭;也可指低弱的哀鸣声。常含“声音小、断断续续、带着无助”的感觉。
/ˈwɪmpər/
The puppy began to whimper when it was left alone.
小狗被独自留下时开始呜咽。
He tried to stay calm, but a quiet whimper escaped as the needle touched his skin.
他努力保持镇定,但当针碰到皮肤时,还是不由得发出一声轻微的抽噎。
whimper 可能源自中世纪英语,带有拟声色彩,用来模仿“细小、颤抖的哭声”。词义长期围绕“弱而低的哭/哀鸣”发展,常用于描写人或动物的无助、恐惧或疼痛反应。