n. 替罪羊,替人顶罪者;替身
vt. 使成为…的替罪羊
scapegoat 替罪羊
缩写自 escape,逃跑,goat,羊。来自圣经中的宗教典故,古犹太人将每年的七月十日定为“赎 罪日”,并在这一天举行赎罪祭。其中通过拈阄决定两只公羊的命运,一只杀了作祭品,另 一只由大祭司将双手按在羊头上,宣称犹太民族在一年中所犯下的罪过,已经转嫁到到这头 羊身上。接着,使把这头替罪羊放逐到旷野,即将人的罪过带入无人之境,最后,把那赎罪 的羊烧死,因而引申词义替罪羊。见百度百科。
Azazel is an active participle or participial noun, derived ultimately from azal (connected with the Arabic word azala, and meaning removed), but immediately from the reduplicate form of that verb, azazal. The reduplication of the consonants of the root in Hebrew and Arabic gives the force of repetition, so that while azal means removed, azalzal means removed by a repetition of acts. Azalzel or azazel, therefore, means one who removes by a series of acts. ... The interpretation is founded on sound etymological grounds, it suits the context wherever the word occurs, it is consistent with the remaining ceremonial of the Day of Atonement, and it accords with the otherwise known religious beliefs and symbolical practices of the Israelites. [Rev. F. Meyrick, "Leviticus," London, 1882]Meaning "one who is blamed or punished for the mistakes or sins of others" first recorded 1824; the verb is attested from 1943. Related: Scapegoated; scapegoating. For the formation, compare scapegrace, also scape-gallows "one who deserves hanging."