acid 里的词根是ac 表示sharp, pointed “尖”,“尖”的东西会起刺激作用,汉语说“尖酸刻薄”,这样很容易理解acid 的本质了。

可以学习两个与词根ac 相关的词:

acme(ac 尖,-me 来自希腊语的名词后缀;在希腊语里本指尖端,锋;顶峰,盛期;尖上、尖端→)

n. the best and highest level of something 最高点;顶点;顶峰时刻;顶峰阶段

His work is considered the acme of cinematic art.
他的作品被认为是电影艺术的巅峰之作。

reach the acme of success.

The empire was at the acme of its power.

acne(希腊语本来是acme,在被翻译成拉丁语的时候,误写为acne了,ac尖,acne本表示的是‘the highest point’,现在是脸上、脖子上等冒尖的东西也是一片皮肤平面上的“最高点”→)

n. a medical problem which causes a lot of red spots on your face and neck and mainly affects young people 痤疮,粉刺

Many adolescents suffer from/have acne.

A lot of teenagers develop acne.

Doctors can treat acne with pills or creams.

Acne often clears up with a change in diet.

作者简介:

袁新民,博士,英语词源学者。外文出版社《不再背单词》系列书作者;“新东方师训讲堂”特邀讲座嘉宾;北京人民广播之声外语广播特邀嘉宾。为了实现出国的梦想,曾用53天背完了一本15000多词的字典,有感于机械记忆的痛苦,开始探索词汇的科学记忆。

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