don
don — noun
- donsingular
- donsplural
1. a senior teacher within a university, used mainly about the older British instit
a senior teacher within a university, used mainly about the older British institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge
Farid became a don at Cambridge after twenty years of research in biochemistry.
The college don invited her students to tea in her book-lined study.
Keiko asked her don for an extension on the essay about medieval poetry.
Oluwaseun's father had been a respected don of history at Oxford.
Walking through the quadrangle, the young don nodded to passing students.
- professor
the most senior academic title, used worldwide; a don may or may not hold a professorship
- lecturer
a more junior university teacher who gives formal lectures rather than providing personal tuition
- tutor
teaches small groups or individual students; at Oxford and Cambridge, many dons also act as tutors
- fellow
in the Oxford and Cambridge system, a member of a college's governing body who often teaches as well
用法筆記
Mainly used in British English, especially for the collegiate system at Oxford and Cambridge. At other British universities, 'lecturer' or 'professor' is more common.
2. a man of high social rank in Spain, especially a member of the nobility
a man of high social rank in Spain, especially a member of the nobility
The Spanish don owned a vast estate with vineyards stretching towards the hills.
Esteban dressed like a don in a dark velvet jacket and polished leather boots.
In the old painting, a stern-faced don stood beside his black horse.
Ingrid read about a wealthy don who funded Columbus's voyage to the Americas.
The young don from Seville married into an even older noble family.
用法筆記
Often used as a title of respect before a first name in Spanish culture, e.g., Don Quixote, Don Juan. The feminine equivalent is Doña.
3. the person who runs a Mafia family or similar organised crime network
the person who runs a Mafia family or similar organised crime network
The don summoned his most trusted men to a meeting in the back room.
Hamza watched a film about a feared don who controlled the city's docks.
Nobody in the neighbourhood would testify against the don, fearing violent revenge.
The ageing don named his youngest son as the next head of the family.
Detective Naledi spent three years gathering evidence against the powerful don.
用法筆記
Popularised by films and novels about the Italian-American Mafia, especially The Godfather. In this sense, the word carries the idea of absolute authority within a criminal organisation.
常見錯誤
don — verb
- donpresent simple I / you / we / they
- dons3rd person singular
- donning-ing form
- donnedpast simple
1. to put an item of clothing onto your body, especially in a careful or ceremonial
to put an item of clothing onto your body, especially in a careful or ceremonial way
The knight donned his heavy armour before stepping into the tournament ring.
Ananya donned a warm coat and thick scarf before heading into the snowstorm.
Before the ceremony, the graduates donned their black caps and gowns in silence.
Wojciech donned a pair of rubber gloves before cleaning the deep cut.
The firefighters donned their protective suits and rushed towards the burning building.
文法句型
don + [article of clothing]
用法筆記
Formal or literary. Always takes a direct object — you must name the garment being put on. The opposite action is 'doff' (to take off clothing), which is equally formal.