buoy
/bɔɪ; bɔɪ/ n
1 floating object anchored to the bottom of the sea, a river, etc to mark places that are dangerous for boats or to show where boats may go, etc 浮标; 航标.
2 = lifebuoy (life). buoy, v
1 [Tn, Tn.p] ~ sth (out) mark the position of sth with a buoy 用浮标指示某位置
buoy submerged rocks 用浮标指示暗礁位置.
2 (phr v) buoy sb/sth up (esp passive 尤用於被动语态)
(a) keep sb/sth afloat 使某人[某物]漂浮
The raft was buoyed up by empty petrol cans. 这木筏依靠空的汽油桶的浮力漂浮.
(b) (fig 比喻) keep (prices, etc) at a high or satisfactory level 使（价格等）保持在高的或令人满意的水平上
Share prices were buoyed up by hopes of an end to the recession. 因经济衰退状况终止有望, 股票价格得以保持高位.
(c) (fig 比喻) raise the hopes or spirits of sb; encourage sb 给某人带来希望; 使某人振作; 鼓舞某人
We felt buoyed up by the good news. 我们觉得这个好消息很令人鼓舞.