/ˈtɔːtli/
副词(adverb):紧绷地,绷紧地;指某物被拉紧、绷紧的状态。也可用于形容语气或表情的紧张、克制。
The rope was pulled tautly between the two poles.
绳子在两根杆子之间被紧紧拉直。
She spoke tautly, each word measured and controlled, as though any looseness might betray the emotion she was trying to hide.
她说话时语气紧绷,每个字都经过斟酌和克制,仿佛稍有松懈就会泄露她极力隐藏的情感。
tautly 由形容词 taut 加副词后缀 -ly 构成。taut 最早出现于中古英语,可能源自古英语 toht,意为"紧的、结实的",与拉扯、绷紧的动作有关。最初多用于航海术语,形容绳索或帆被拉紧的状态,后来引申为形容人的神经或表情紧张、克制。