| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024cop•u•la /ˈkɑpyələ/USA pronunciation n. [countable], pl. -las, -lae /-ˌli/.USA pronunciation - Grammara verb, such as be, seem, or look, that serves as a connecting link or establishes an identity between a subject and a complement (a noun or adjective that comes next):In the sentence John is a student, the word is functions as a copula because it establishes an identity between John and student.Also called linking verb.
cop•u•lar, adj. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024cop•u•la (kop′yə lə),USA pronunciation n., pl. -las, -lae (-lē′).USA pronunciation - something that connects or links together.
- GrammarAlso called linking verb. a verb, as be, seem, or look, that serves as a connecting link or establishes an identity between subject and complement.
- Oceanography, Philosophy[Logic.]a word or set of words that acts as a connecting link between the subject and predicate of a proposition.
- Latin cōpula, equivalent. to co- co- + ap- fasten (see apt) + -ula -ule
- 1640–50
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: copula /ˈkɒpjʊlə/ n ( pl -las, -lae / -ˌliː/)- a verb, such as be, seem, or taste, that is used merely to identify or link the subject with the complement of a sentence. Copulas may serve to link nouns (or pronouns), as in he became king, nouns (or pronouns) and adjectival complements, as in sugar tastes sweet, or nouns (or pronouns) and adverbial complements, as in John is in jail
- anything that serves as a link
Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin: bond, connection, from co- together + apere to fastenˈcopular adj |