| 释义 |
adult
I. \əˈdəlt, ˈaˌdəlt also aˈd- or ˈadəlt\ adjective
Etymology: Latin adultus, past participle of adolescere to grow up, from ad- + -olescere (from alescere to grow, incho. of alere to nourish) — more at old
1. : fully developed (as in size, strength, or intellectual capacity) : fully mature : grown-up
< an adult man >
< an adult lion >
< an adult plant >
2. : of or belonging to adults
< the standards of the adult world — Saturday Review >
3. : evidencing the maturity (as the intellectual maturity) usually associated with an adult
< his adult approach to the problem >
4.
a. : on a par with the maturity usually associated with an adult
< a thoroughly adult comedy of manners >
b. : designed for or restricted to adults
< adult murder mysteries that children wouldn't like >
• adult·ness noun -es
II. noun
(-s)
1. : one that has arrived at full development especially in size, strength, or intellectual capacity : one that has reached full maturity
2.
a. civil law : a human male after the age of 14 or a human female after the age of 12
b. common law : a human male or female after a specific age (as 21)
III. adjective
: dealing in or with explicitly sexual material : pornographic
< adult bookstore >
< adult movie > |