We are not free, separate, and independent entities, but like links in a chain, and we could not by any means be what we are without those who went before us and showed us the way.
📚 名句词汇解析
从本句名言中提取的重要词汇，帮助你深度理解这句话
vt.& vi. 分开;（使）分离;区分;隔开;
vt. 分离（混合物）;分居;分类;割开;
vi. 分手;断裂;（夫妻）分居;断绝关系;
💡 separ分离 + ate 形容词后缀 具有...的 → adj.分离的；个别的
"Raw meat must be kept separate from cooked meat."
生肉和熟肉必须分开存放。
近义：isolate, segregate, sever, split, detach, disjoin
反义：articulate, link, rabbet, splice, stick, tie
adj. 自主的;不相关连的;无党派的;不相干的人所做的（或提供的）;
n. 独立自主的人;无党派人士;
💡 in不+depend依靠+ent...的 → 不依靠的 → 独立的
"The evidence was corroborated by two independent witnesses."
此证据由两名独立证人提供。
近义：liberated, maverick, nonpartisan, autonomic, autonomous, indie
反义：associate, attache, provisionary, provisory, reliant, secondary
adj. 自由的;免费的;免税的;空闲的;
adv. 免费地;自由地，无拘束地;一帆风顺地;
vt. 免除;释放;使自由;解救;
"I have given him a free hand in the matter."
我让他在这件事情上放手干.
近义：liberate, loose, save, deliver, emancipate, enfranchise
反义：immure, apprehend, incarcerate, jail, arrest, mew
n. 链子，链条;连锁，连续;拘束;连锁店或旅馆系列的事物;
vt. 用铁链锁住;监禁，束缚;
💡 表链拆(chai)哪(n)儿了？
"a short length of chain"
一截短链条
近义：join, link, oppress, shackle, catenate, enchain
反义：manumit, unshackle, unshoe, deliver, emancipate
n. 方法（ mean的名词复数）;手段;收入;财富;
v. 意味着（ mean的第三人称单数）;引起;打算或注定要某人成为或做某事;
"The inquiry is by no means cut and dried."
调查之事远未盖棺定论。
近义：approach, manner, method, mode, process, strategy