1540s, "secret storehouse, treasure chamber," from Middle French cabinet "small room" (16c.), diminutive of Old French cabane "cabin" (see cabin); perhaps influenced by (or rather, from) Italian gabbinetto, diminutive of gabbia, from Latin cavea "stall, stoop, cage, den for animals" (see cave (n.)).
Meaning "case for safe-keeping" (of papers, liquor, etc.) is from 1540s, gradually shading to mean a piece of furniture that does this. Sense of "private room where advisors meet" (c. 1600) led to modern political meaning (1640s); perhaps originally short for cabinet council (1630s); compare board (n.1) in its evolution from place where some group meets to the word for the group that meets there.
雙語例句
1. This issue, more than any other, has divided her cabinet.
主要是這一問題使她的內(nèi)閣產(chǎn)生了分歧。
來自柯林斯例句
2. Cabinet Ministers are selfishly pursuing their own vested interests.
內(nèi)閣大臣們正在自私地追逐他們自己的既得利益。
來自柯林斯例句
3. The announcement came after a three-hour Cabinet meeting in Downing Street.
在唐寧街進(jìn)行了長達(dá)3個小時的內(nèi)閣會議后發(fā)布了這份公告。
來自柯林斯例句
4. He is one of the most hawkish members of the new cabinet.
他是新內(nèi)閣中鷹派色彩最濃的成員之一。
來自柯林斯例句
5. All together there are six new faces in the cabinet.