形容词,意为"偷偷摸摸的、鬼鬼祟祟的",用来形容某人试图不被注意地做某事,通常带有隐秘或心虚的意味。
/ˈfɜːr.tɪv/
He cast a furtive glance at the door before slipping the letter into his pocket.
他偷偷瞟了一眼门口,然后把信悄悄塞进了口袋。
There was something furtive about the way she moved through the crowded market, her eyes darting from side to side as if she feared being followed.
她穿过拥挤市场的方式有些鬼鬼祟祟,眼睛不安地左右扫视,仿佛害怕被人跟踪。
源自拉丁语 furtivus,意为"偷来的、秘密的",其词根为 furtum(盗窃),与 fur(小偷)同源。这个词在17世纪进入英语,最初直接表示"与偷窃有关的",后来引申为"偷偷摸摸的、鬼鬼祟祟的"行为方式。