"exclusive control of a commodity or trade," 1530s, from Latin monopolium, from Greek monopolion "right of exclusive sale," from mono- + polein "to sell," from PIE root *pel- (5) "to sell" (cognates: Sanskrit panate "barters, purchases," Lithuanian pelnas "gain," Old Church Slavonic splenu, Russian polon "prey, booty," Old Norse falr, Dutch veil, German feil "for sale, venal").
Alternative form monopole (1540s, from the Old French form of the word) was common in 16c. The popular board game, invented by Charles Darrow, is from 1935. Monopoly money "unreal currency" is attested from 1972, in reference to the paper used in the game.
实用例句
1. "Monopoly" is one of the best-selling games of all time.
“大富翁”是有史以来最畅销的游戏之一。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Had he succeeded, he would have acquired a monopoly.
要是他当时成功了，他就会取得垄断地位。
来自柯林斯例句
3. In the past central government had a monopoly on television broadcasting.
过去，中央政府对电视节目播放实行垄断。
来自《权威词典》
4. Inflation was so high that the notes were like Monopoly money.
通货膨胀严重，货币变得跟“大富翁”游戏钞票无异。
来自《权威词典》
5. His monopoly of shipbuilding in that country has been established.
