simple

simple 简单的，单纯的

来自古法语 simple,简单的，直白的，来自拉丁语 simplex,单倍的，简单的，来自 PIE*sem, 一，词源同 same,-plex,倍数，词源同 triple,complex.引申诸相关词义。

simple

simple: [13] Etymologically, simple denotes ‘same-fold’ – that is, not multifarious. It goes back ultimately to a compound formed from prehistoric Indo-European *sm-, *sem-, *som- ‘same’ (source also of English same, similar, single, etc) and *pl- ‘fold’ (source of English fold, ply, etc). This passed into Latin as simplus ‘single’, which found its way into English via Old French simple.
=> fold, ply, same, similar

simple (adj.)

c. 1200, "free from duplicity, upright, guileless; blameless, innocently harmless," also "ignorant, uneducated; unsophisticated; simple-minded, foolish," from Old French simple (12c.) "plain, decent; friendly, sweet; naive, foolish, stupid," hence "wretched, miserable," from Latin simplus, variant of simplex "simple, uncompounded," literally "onefold" (see simplex). Sense of "free from pride, humble, meek" is mid-13c. As "consisting of only one substance or ingredient" (opposite of composite or compounded) it dates from late 14c.; as "easily done" (opposite of complicated) it dates from late 15c.

From mid-14c. as "unqualified; mere; sheer;" also "clear, straightforward; easily understood." From late 14c. as "single, individual; whole." From late 14c. of clothing, etc., "modest, plain, unadorned," and of food, "plain, not sumptuous." In medicine, of fractures, etc., "lacking complications," late 14c. As a law term, "lacking additional legal stipulations, unlimited," from mid-14c.

In Middle English with wider senses than recently, such as "inadequate, insufficient; weak, feeble; mere; few; sad, downcast; mournful; of little value; low in price; impoverished, destitute;" of hair, "straight, not curly." As noun, "an innocent or a guileless person; a humble or modest person" (late 14c.), also "an uncompounded substance." From c. 1500 as "ignorant people."

1. The letter was short — a simple recitation of their problem.

信写得很短——只是简单地说了一下他们的问题。

2. Though off-puttingly complicated in detail, local taxes are in essence simple.

虽然地税在细节上复杂得要命，但在本质上却很简单。

3. The room remains simple with bare, stippled green walls.

房间仍然很简朴，四面都是饰有圆点的绿色空墙。

4. Sadly, the film is let down by an excessively simple plot.

遗憾的是，过于简单的情节使得这部电影差强人意。

5. "But Peter, it's not that simple," Goldstone countered in a firm voice.

“但是，彼得，事情并非那么简单，”戈德斯通语气坚决地驳斥道。

【easy, simple】
这组词都有“简单的，轻易的”的意思，其区别是：
easy: 普通用词，指不需要花费太多精力的工作或事，在实际运用中常与simple换用。
simple: 普通用词，指不复杂、不难懂，从而容易被理解的事物。

【silly, dull, simple, stupid, foolish】
这组词都有“愚蠢的，笨的，傻的”的意思，其区别是：
silly: 口语用词，可和foolish互换，但语气稍强。侧重指人的言行不合常规或不理智，强调单纯、低能和糊涂。
dull: 指对问题理解迟钝，缺乏灵敏机智头脑，可能是先下智力低下，也可能因疲倦或健康不佳所致。
simple: 强调头脑简单或缺少智慧。
stupid: 多指人或行为的愚蠢，尤指先天智能低下，或因某种原因失去正常的反应或感觉。有时也可与silly和foolish换用，但语气强，常含贬义。
foolish: 一般指人的无头脑、愚蠢，或缺乏常识与判断力，或指行动的愚蠢可笑。