本文经授权转载自微信公众号：田间小站
SAT
外刊例句
- Industrialists are not shy about expressing their adulation.
实业家们并不羞于表达他们的谄媚。
——《经济学人》 - Scott Lindsey stood arms aloft, taking in the adulation of his supporters.
斯科特·林赛高举双臂站立，接受其支持者们的奉承。
——《纽约时报》
基本释义
[noun] excessive admiration or praise
[名词] 过度的钦佩或赞扬
深入解读
从词源上来看， adulation 一词源自拉丁语 adulationem （奉承、谄媚、卑躬屈膝），最早于14世纪末经古法语 adulacion 进入英语，也是用来表示“奉承、谄媚、恭维、吹捧”，常作正式用语使用，尤指名不副实且不加批判的过度钦佩或赞扬，较普通用词 flattery 更加带有奴性或虚伪的含义。比如：
- 这本畅销书受到了评论人士的吹捧。五大洲的读者都迷上了它。
The bestselling book was received with adulation by critics. It enchanted the readers of five continents.
而最早于1777年由 adulation 逆构而来的动词 adulate 相应表示过度地“奉承、谄媚、恭维、吹捧”。比如：
- 他尊重科学而不迷信科学。
He respected science without adulating it.
名著用例
She had not had fame or money before. Now they had come. She had not had adulation and affectionate propositions before. Now they had come.
昔日，她没有名，也没有钱。今天，两者都有了。昔日，她无人奉承，也无人求爱。今天，两者都来了。
出自美国现实主义作家西奥多·德莱赛（Theodore Dreiser）创作的长篇小说《嘉莉妹妹》（Sister Carrie）。
同近义词
- compliment: a polite expression of praise or admiration
- flattery: excessive and insincere praise, given especially to further one's own interests
- worship: great admiration or devotion shown towards a person or principle
