They had a definite meaning, for they were as near as early man could get to writing.
它們有著一定的含義，因為它們已接近古代人的文字形式。
新概念英語第三冊
Lesson 38 The first calender
?? 句中詞匯解析
從本句中提取的重要詞匯
adj. 明確的;一定的;肯定;有把握;
?? de強調+fin界線+ite表形容詞 →明確的
"She has certain definite beauties, such as her eyes."
她確有幾分姿色, 比如說她的眼睛.
近義：confident, inarguable, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable
反義：implausible, improbable, uncertain, unlikely, imprecise, indeterminate
n. 意思，意義;含義;意圖;
adj. 有意思的;意味深長的;
vt. 意味(mean的現在分詞);意思是;
?? mean 意思+ ing 表示行為、狀態、情況及其他 → n.意義，意思；意圖
"contextual clues to the meaning"
上下文提供的理解其含義的線索
近義：import, purport, purposefulness, sense, significance, significancy
adv. （空間）在近處;在附近;（時間）臨近;（程度）幾乎;
prep. （表示程度）接近;（表示位置）靠近;（表示時間）將近;接近于（某種狀態）;
adj. 近的;親密的;近似;（親屬關系）近親;
"Police found fragments of glass near the scene."
警方在現場附近發現了玻璃碎片。
近義：approach, approximate, hither, hithermost, immediate, approximal
反義：isolated, outlying, remote, retired, secluded, separate
adj. 早的;早期的;早日的;（果實等）早熟的;
adv. 早;在初期;先前;提早;
?? 三十“而立”（諧音），人生 早期
"They filed an application to have their case heard early."
他們申請早日審理他們的案子.
近義：onetime, back, previous, prior, old, earlier
反義：hind, hindmost, back, postern, puisne, retral
n. 文字;寫作;文章;筆跡;
v. 寫（ write的現在分詞）;寫信;
"Please confirm your acceptance of this offer in writing."
請書面確認你接受這項提議。
近義：handwriting