◙ noun, [mass noun] 1. wood prepared for use in building and carpentry • 木材；原木 »the exploitation of forests for timber. 为获取木材而对森林进行的砍伐。 »[as modifier] a small timber building. 小型木建筑。 trees grown for such wood • （用作木材的）树木，林木 »contracts to cut timber. 林木砍伐合同。 [count noun] [一般作 timbers] a wooden beam or board used in building a house or ship • （造屋或造船用的）大木料，栋木 [as exclamation] used to warn that a tree is about to fall after being cut • （树木倒下前的警告）倒啦；避开 »we cried ‘Timber!’ as our tree fell. 树要倒下时我们嚷道：“让开！”。 [usu. with adj.] (chiefly US)personal qualities or character, especially as seen as suitable for a particular role • [主美] （尤指人适于某角色的）素质；性格；才干 »she is frequently hailed as presidential timber. 她常被赞为是块当总统的料。
【语源】
1. Old English in the sense 'a building', also 'building material', of Germanic origin; related to German Zimmer 'room', from an Indo-European root meaning 'build'