Definition of haunt

hauntverb

ám ảnh

/hɔːnt//hɔːnt/

The word "haunt" has its roots in Old English, where it was spelled as "hānt" or "hānten." Its literal meaning at that time was "to inhabit," essentially referring to a place or an animal that called a location home. As the centuries passed, the word began to shift in meaning. By Middle English, around the 1300s, "haunt" had started to be used to describe places where people frequently visited, such as a favorite hangout spot. However, it wasn't until the 1700s that "haunt" took on the association we're more familiar with today. During this time, "haunt" began to refer to supernatural beings or spirits that were believed to linger in a particular location. This association likely stemmed from the common belief that the dead could return to Earth to seek a measure of solace or to fulfill some unfinished business that they believed themselves unable to carry out while living. So, the word "haunt" originally had a rather benign meaning before evolving to convey the notion of a place, person, or entity that may be invisible or intangible, yet perceived as having a persistent presence there.

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if the ghost of a dead person haunts a place, people say that they have seen it there

Nếu hồn ma của người chết ám ở một nơi nào đó, người ta nói rằng họ đã nhìn thấy nó ở đó

Example:
  • A headless rider haunts the country lanes.

    Một tay đua không đầu ám ảnh các con đường quê.

  • I’ll come back to haunt you!

    Tôi sẽ quay lại ám ảnh bạn!

if something unpleasant haunts you, it keeps coming to your mind so that you cannot forget it

nếu điều gì đó khó chịu ám ảnh bạn, nó cứ hiện lên trong tâm trí bạn khiến bạn không thể quên được

Example:
  • The memory of that day still haunts me.

    Ký ức ngày hôm ấy vẫn còn ám ảnh tôi.

  • For years she was haunted by guilt.

    Trong nhiều năm, cô bị ám ảnh bởi cảm giác tội lỗi.

Extra examples:
  • He will be haunted forever by his failed attempt to rescue the children.

    Anh ta sẽ bị ám ảnh mãi mãi bởi nỗ lực giải cứu bọn trẻ thất bại.

  • These visions continued to haunt her for many years.

    Những hình ảnh này tiếp tục ám ảnh cô trong nhiều năm.

to continue to cause problems for somebody for a long time

tiếp tục gây rắc rối cho ai trong thời gian dài

Example:
  • That decision came back to haunt him.

    Quyết định đó quay trở lại ám ảnh anh.

  • She has been haunted by her past during her career.

    Cô đã bị ám ảnh bởi quá khứ của mình trong suốt sự nghiệp của mình.

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