early 14c., "body of individuals born about the same period" (historically 30 years but in other uses as few as 17), on the notion of "descendants at the same stage in the line of descent," from Old French generacion "race, people, species; progeny, offspring; act of procreating" (12c., Modern French génération) and directly from Latin generationem (nominative generatio) "generating, generation," noun of action from past participle stem of generare "bring forth, beget, produce," from genus "race, kind" (see genus).
From late 14c. as "act or process of procreation; process of being formed; state of being procreated; reproduction; sexual intercourse;" also "that which is produced, fruit, crop; children; descendants, offspring of the same parent." Generation gap first recorded 1967; generation x is 1991, by author Douglas Coupland (b.1961) in the book of that name; generation y attested by 1994. Adjectival phrase first-generation, second-generation, etc. with reference to U.S. immigrant families is from 1896. Related: Generational.
实用例句
1. A new generation of scientists became fascinated by dinosaurs.
新一代科学家对恐龙研究着了迷。
来自柯林斯例句
2. First-generation Americans view the United States as a land of golden opportunity.
第一代美国人认为美国是一个充满了机遇的国度。
来自柯林斯例句
3. This challenge will occupy Europe for a generation or more.
这将是欧洲在未来二三十年或者更长的时间里所要面临的挑战。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Faulkner has been hailed as the greatest American novelist of his generation.
福克纳被誉为他那一代人中最伟大的美国小说家。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Manufacturers are working on a new generation of cheaper digital radios.
