1600, "at leisure, not occupied," from un- (1) "not" + past participle of employ (v.). Meaning "temporarily out of work" is from 1660s. The noun meaning "unemployed persons collectively" is from 1782.
No man has hired us
With pocketed hands
And lowered faces
We stand about in open places
And shiver in unlit rooms ...
[T.S. Eliot, "Choruses from the Rock"]
实用例句
1. The unemployed executives include former sales managers, directors and accountants.
被解雇的管理人员包括前销售经理、主管和会计。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Last month, 370,000 Americans joined the ranks of the unemployed.
上个月，有37万美国人加入了失业者的行列。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The unemployed cannot withdraw their labour — they have no power.
失业者没法罢工——他们没有这种实力。
来自柯林斯例句
4. The kids who are joyriding and ram-raiding are unemployed.
那些开偷来的车狂飙和驾车抢劫的年轻人都是无业游民。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Almost 13 per cent of the working population is already unemployed.
