sporadic: [17] Sporadic means etymologically ‘scattered like seed’. It comes via medieval Latin sporadicus from Greek sporadikós, a derivative of the adjective sporás ‘scattered’. This was formed from the same base as produced sporá ‘act of sowing, seed’, ancestor of English diaspora [19] (etymologically ‘dispersal’) and spore [19]. And both were related to speírein ‘sow’, source of English sperm. => diaspora, sperm, spore
sporadic (adj.)
1680s, from Medieval Latin sporadicus "scattered," from Greek sporadikos "scattered," from sporas (genitive sporados) "scattered, dispersed," from spora "a sowing" (see spore). Originally a medical term, "occurring in scattered instances;" the meaning "happening at intervals" is first recorded 1847. Related: Sporadical (1650s); sporadically.
权威例句
1. There were reports of sporadic fighting in the streets.
有报道说街上有零星战斗.
2. The area has been the scene of sporadic artillery duels over the last six weeks.
在过去的6周中,该地区曾经发生过零星的炮击。
3. In its common'sporadic " form, Creutzfeldt -- Jakob disease is rare in people under 50.
克雅氏病通常以“个例 ” 形式而且在50岁以下的人中偶发.
4. The sound of sporadic shooting could still be heard.