sullen: [16] The etymological notion underlying sullen is of being miserable because one is ‘on one’s own’. The word comes from Anglo- Norman *solein ‘alone’, hence ‘miserable’, a derivative of Old French soul ‘alone’ (source of English sole). => sole, solo
sullen (adj.)
1570s, alteration of Middle English soleyn "unique, singular," from Anglo-French *solein, formed on the pattern of Old French solain "lonely," from soul "single," from Latin solus "by oneself, alone" (see sole (adj.)). The sense shift in Middle English from "solitary" to "morose" (i.e. "remaining alone through ill-humor") occurred late 14c. Related: Sullenly; sullenness.
雙語例句
1. He turned away in sullen, resentful silence.
他悶悶不樂、心懷怨恨、一言不發地轉過身去了。
來自柯林斯例句
2. The offenders lapsed into a sullen silence.
那些冒犯者都悶不作聲了。
來自柯林斯例句
3. Bob looked pale and sullen.
鮑勃臉色蒼白，悶悶不樂。
來自《權威詞典》
4. The sullen girl refused to answer her mother's questions.