amateur: [18] Etymologically, an amateur is simply a ‘lover’. That is what its ultimate Latin ancestor amator meant, and indeed in English it still denoted ‘someone who loves or is fond of something’ until well into the 19th century (‘am no amateur of these melons’, Mrs Atkinson, Tartar Steppes 1863). However, its immediate source, French amateur, had already evolved the subsidiary sense ‘one who does something solely for the enjoyment, not for payment’, and that is now its only English meaning.
1784, "one who has a taste for (something)," from French amateur "lover of," from Latin amatorem (nominative amator) "lover," agent noun from amatus, past participle of amare "to love" (see Amy). Meaning "dabbler" (as opposed to professional) is from 1786. As an adjective, by 1838.
双语例句
1. Angela says she longs to join an amateur dramatics class.
安杰拉说她渴望参加业余戏剧班。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Taylor began his playing career as an amateur goalkeeper.
泰勒的运动生涯是从一名业余守门员开始的。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The Amateur Softball Association's roster of umpires has declined to 57,000.
业余垒球协会的裁判员名单上的人数已经减少到了57,000名。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Tony Woodcock has joined German amateur team SC Brueck as coach.
托尼·伍德科克加盟德国业余队SC布吕克队担任教练。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Jerry is an amateur who dances because he feels like it.
