lecture
Definitions
A formal talk given to teach an audience, especially at a university.
讲座，演讲，授课。
A long, stern talk telling someone off for their behavior.
（冗长的）训诫，说教。
To give a formal educational talk.
讲课，作讲座。
To scold someone at length, often patronizingly.
训斥，对……说教。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedlect (here the 'read' sense of legere) + -ure (act of) = 'a reading.' In medieval universities and monasteries, a lecture was literally someone reading a text aloud while others listened. From that came today's talk-to-teach sense — and, less kindly, the 'reading someone the riot act' sense of being lectured.
Root lect still carries 128 more wordsWhy It Means This
Lecture is the 'reading' branch of the root made visible. Latin lectura meant simply 'a reading.' Before printed handouts, a teacher's job was to read the text aloud while students copied it down — so 'a reading' and 'a class' became the same thing. The disapproving 'don't lecture me' sense came later: a one-sided talk where someone reads you their opinions whether you want them or not.
Common Collocations
- 1.give a lecture作讲座
- 2.attend a lecture听讲座
- 3.guest lecture客座讲学
- 4.lecture someone about就……说教某人
Example Sentences
- 1.
The professor gave a fascinating lecture on black holes.
- 2.
Stop lecturing me about being late!
- 3.
I got a long lecture from my dad about money.