displacement
displacement — noun
1. the situation in which people are forced to leave their homes or home region, us
the situation in which people are forced to leave their homes or home region, usually because of war, violence, natural disaster, or political oppression.
The war caused the displacement of more than two million people across the country.
displacement of + number + people
Many farming families faced displacement when the river flooded the entire valley.
Lakan's family experienced displacement during the conflict and had to settle in a refugee camp.
Climate change is expected to increase displacement in low-lying coastal communities.
Aid agencies work to protect children who suffer displacement due to armed conflict.
- repatriation
the return of people to their home country or region
文法句型
displacement + of + group
用法筆記
Often modified by a cause (war, disaster, climate change). The verb form 'displace' is transitive: 'the earthquake displaced thousands of people.'
常見錯誤
2. the volume of a liquid or gas that is pushed aside when an object is placed in i
the volume of a liquid or gas that is pushed aside when an object is placed in it; often used to measure the object's volume or a ship's weight.
Archimedes realised that displacement could measure the volume of an irregular object.
Rin measured the displacement of water after dropping the metal ball into the beaker.
displacement of + liquid — core collocation
A cargo ship's displacement equals the total weight of the water it pushes aside.
The engineer calculated the displacement of air inside the sealed chamber.
A stone placed in a full glass causes displacement of water onto the table.
- volume
more general; displacement specifies volume pushed aside
- buoyant volume
technical term for the displaced fluid volume in flotation
文法句型
displacement + of + liquid/gas
用法筆記
In engineering, 'displacement' also refers to the volume swept by a piston in an engine (engine displacement). In physics, do not confuse this sense with 'displacement' as a vector quantity meaning change in position.
常見錯誤
3. a psychological defense mechanism in which a person unconsciously redirects a st
a psychological defense mechanism in which a person unconsciously redirects a strong emotion, such as anger or fear, from the original source to a less threatening person or object.
His anger at his boss turned into displacement, so he shouted at his wife instead.
displacement as a way of redirecting anger
Therapists often help patients recognise displacement as an unconscious coping strategy.
Yael's frustration turned into displacement when she criticised her classmates unfairly.
Frustrated by his demanding boss, Karim's displacement showed as anger toward his sister.
A person in displacement may show anger toward a pet rather than a parent.
- redirection
more general term; lacks the clinical specificity
- sublimation
a related defense mechanism where emotions are redirected into socially acceptable activities
文法句型
displacement + of + emotion + onto + target
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'projection': in displacement the emotion stays the same but the target changes; in projection the person attributes their own emotion to someone else.
常見錯誤
4. the act of one thing, person, or system being moved from its usual position and
the act of one thing, person, or system being moved from its usual position and replaced by another, often in a way that feels disruptive or unwanted.
The displacement of older workers by younger graduates caused tension in the office.
displacement of X by Y — typical passive structure
Harper was unhappy about her displacement as team leader after the company restructuring.
Digital records caused the gradual displacement of paper files in the hospital system.
The arrival of the new supermarket led to the displacement of several local shops.
Christopher saw the promotion as the displacement of experienced staff by newer employees.
- supplanting
more formal; suggests deliberate overthrow
- ousting
informal; implies forceful removal, especially from a position
- replacement
neutral; does not carry the negative connotation of displacement
- retention
keeping something or someone in its original position
文法句型
displacement + of + noun + by + noun
用法筆記
Often carries a negative tone, suggesting the original occupant did not deserve to be removed. Compare 'substitution,' which is more neutral and often technical.