| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024ˈin-ˌlaw, n. [countable]- a relative by marriage:In-laws may present problems in a marriage.
As the example above shows, the word in-law has as its plural form in-laws. But when a compound noun is formed with -in-law, such as brother-in-law, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, etc., its plural is formed by making the first part of the compound plural, and leaving -in-law unchanged:brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, mothers-in-law. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024in-law (in′lô′),USA pronunciation n. - a relative by marriage.
- back formation from mother-in-law, brother-in-law, etc. 1890–95
- Lawto restore (an outlaw) to the benefits and protection of the law.
- Middle English inlawen, Old English inlagian. See in-1, law bef. 1000
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: in-law n - a relative by marriage
adj - (postpositive; in combination) related by marriage: a father-in-law
Etymology: 19th Century: back formation from father-in-law, etc |