核心畫面

Picture a full container tipping over. Everything inside comes out at once, in one direction, and nobody can put it back. Two things make the picture: it was being held, and then suddenly it was not. What is inside the container can be feeling — grief, joy, thanks — or it can be things you could count, like donations or new songs. Either way the word is telling you about the tipping, not about the amount on its own.

outpouring 可以想成一個裝滿的容器倒下來。裡面的東西一次全出來,往同一個方向,而且收不回去。畫面的重點有兩更多收起outpouring 可以想成一個裝滿的容器倒下來。裡面的東西一次全出來,往同一個方向,而且收不回去。畫面的重點有兩個:本來是被裝著的,然後突然就不是了。容器裡裝的可能是感情,像悲傷、喜悅、感謝。也可能是數得出來的東西,像捐款或新作品。不管裝的是什麼,這個字要講的是「倒下來」那一刻,不只是「很多」。

From the word’s history

The source gives the word as out- plus pouring, so the picture is in the parts themselves: pouring, and pouring outwards.

來源直接把這個字拆成 out-(往外)加上 pouring(傾倒)。所以那個畫面就寫在字裡:倒,而且是往外倒。

Wiktionary, outpouring, etymology tree supplied in packet (kaikki:3f6f69a190036ae4:1307037747)

Two branches

倒出來的是感情

容器裡裝的是壓著的情緒,一件事一觸發就整個倒出來。

noun · C1

A sudden show of strong feeling that comes out all at once, either from one person or from very many people together. Usually an outpouring of grief, anger, love or support.

(情感)迸發、湧現

倒出來的是數量

同一個倒下來的動作,容器裡換成數得出來的東西。同一個倒下來的動作,容器裡換成數得出來的東西。

noun · C1

A large amount of something that suddenly appears or is produced in a short time, such as new work, new ideas, money or help.

大量湧現