c. 1300, "coupling device that allows independent rotation," from frequentative form of stem of Old English verb swifan "to move in a course, revolve, sweep" (a class I strong verb), from Proto-Germanic *swif- (cognates: Old Frisian swiva "to be uncertain," Old Norse svifa "to rove, ramble, drift"), from PIE root *swei- (2) "to turn, bend, move in a sweeping manner."
Related Middle English swive was the principal slang verb for "to have sexual intercourse with," a sense that developed c. 1300. This probably explains why, though the root is verbal, the verb swivel is not attested in Modern English until 1794. Compare Middle English phrase smal-swivinge men "men who copulate infrequently."
swivel (v.)
1794 (transitive), from swivel (n.). Intransitive use from 1846. Related: Swiveled; swiveling; swivelled; swivelling.
中文解释
1. swoop => sweep => PIE root *swei- "swing, bend, turn, move in a sweeping manner" => swivel.2. frequentative form of sweep.3. 谐音“四围涡”---四围都是漩涡在旋转。
实用例句
1. His chairs can swivel, but they can't move up or down.
他的椅子能旋转，但是不能升降。
来自柯林斯例句
2. She returned to the swivel chair behind her desk.
她回到桌子后面的转椅上.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. He leaned back in the swivel chair and locked his fingers behind his head.
他仰靠在转椅上，十指交叉枕在脑后。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Flora restored the heavy swivel chair to its upright position.