They had a definite meaning, for they were as near as early man could get to writing.
它们有着一定的含义，因为它们已接近古代人的文字形式。
新概念英语第三册
Lesson 38 The first calender
📚 句中词汇解析
从本句中提取的重要词汇
adj. 明确的;一定的;肯定;有把握;
💡 de强调+fin界线+ite表形容词 →明确的
"She has certain definite beauties, such as her eyes."
她确有几分姿色, 比如说她的眼睛.
近义：confident, inarguable, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable
反义：implausible, improbable, uncertain, unlikely, imprecise, indeterminate
n. 意思，意义;含义;意图;
adj. 有意思的;意味深长的;
vt. 意味(mean的现在分词);意思是;
💡 mean 意思+ ing 表示行为、状态、情况及其他 → n.意义，意思；意图
"contextual clues to the meaning"
上下文提供的理解其含义的线索
近义：import, purport, purposefulness, sense, significance, significancy
adv. （空间）在近处;在附近;（时间）临近;（程度）几乎;
prep. （表示程度）接近;（表示位置）靠近;（表示时间）将近;接近于（某种状态）;
adj. 近的;亲密的;近似;（亲属关系）近亲;
"Police found fragments of glass near the scene."
警方在现场附近发现了玻璃碎片。
近义：approach, approximate, hither, hithermost, immediate, approximal
反义：isolated, outlying, remote, retired, secluded, separate
adj. 早的;早期的;早日的;（果实等）早熟的;
adv. 早;在初期;先前;提早;
💡 三十“而立”（谐音），人生 早期
"They filed an application to have their case heard early."
他们申请早日审理他们的案子.
近义：onetime, back, previous, prior, old, earlier
反义：hind, hindmost, back, postern, puisne, retral
n. 文字;写作;文章;笔迹;
v. 写（ write的现在分词）;写信;
"Please confirm your acceptance of this offer in writing."
请书面确认你接受这项提议。
近义：handwriting