spindle-legged
/'spindlʃænkt/ Cách viết khác : (spindle-legged) /'spindl'spindl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having long, thin, and often seemingly weak legs: Describes a person, animal, or sometimes an object whose legs are noticeably long, slender, and reminiscent of a spindle (a thin rod used in spinning).
Usage
- This adjective is typically used to describe physical appearance, often with a connotation of extreme thinness or frailty in the limbs.
- It is most commonly applied to people and animals.
- The tone can be neutral, descriptive, or slightly humorous/derogatory, depending on context.
Examples
- Adjective:
- The spindle-legged foal struggled to stand on its long, thin legs.
- He was a tall, spindle-legged man who seemed to tower awkwardly over everyone.
- The old, spindle-legged chair wobbled precariously.
Advanced Usage
- "Spindle-legged" as a vivid descriptor: Often used in literary or descriptive writing to create a strong visual image of slenderness and height.
- The heron, a spindle-legged silhouette against the sunset, stood motionless in the shallow water.
Variants and Related Words
- Spindle-shanked (adj): A direct synonym with identical meaning ("shank" refers to the part of the leg between the knee and ankle).
- The word "spindle-shanked" is less common but means exactly the same as "spindle-legged".
- Spindly (adj): Resembling a spindle; long, thin, and frail. This is a more general term that can describe legs, arms, branches, etc.
- The plant had spindly stems that could barely support the flowers.
Synonyms
- Lanky: Tall and thin in an ungraceful way.
- Gangly: Tall, thin, and awkward in movement.
- Leggy: Having attractively long legs (often used for women or animals; usually more positive than "spindle-legged").
Antonyms
- Sturdy-legged: Having strong, thick legs.
- Stocky: Broad and sturdily built.
Adjective
- having long slender legs