- the Scouts[plural]
an organization (in the UK, officially called the Scout Association) originally for boys, which trains young people in practical skills and does a lot of activities with them, for example camping 童子军 to join the Scouts 参加童子军 My brother is in the Scouts. 我哥哥在童子军。 I learned how to tie knots in the Scouts. 我在童子军学会了打结。
CultureThe Scout Association was formed in Britain in 1908 by Lord Robert Baden-Powell. It organizes outdoor activities, for example camping, and aims to teach practical skills, discipline and social responsibility. Members wear uniforms, and their motto (= phrase expressing an aim or a belief) is ’‘Be prepared’. The four main groups are Beaver Scouts (for ages 6–8), Cubs (8–10½), Scouts (10½–14) and Explorer Scouts (14–18). Girls were admitted to the oldest of these groups (called Venture Scouts at that time) for the first time in Britain in 1976, and to all groups in 1991. The Scouts now exists in many countries in the world, although the name and structure of the organization varies slightly from country to country.compare Boy Scouts of America, Girl Guide - (British English)
a boy or girl who is a member of the Scouts 童子军成员 a person, an aircraft, etc. sent ahead to get information about the enemy’s position, strength, etc. 侦察员；侦察机 The commander sent out a scout to see if the road was clear. 指挥官派出一名侦察兵去看看道路是否畅通。
- [usually singular] scout (around/round) (British English)
an act of getting information by looking around an area 侦察员： 通过环顾四周区域获取信息的行为I'll have a scout around and see if there's anyone here. 我会四处侦察一下，看看这里是否有人。
- (also talent scout, talent spotter)
a person whose job is to find people who are good at singing, acting, sport, etc. in order to give them work （歌唱、戏剧、体育运动等的）人才发掘者，新秀发现者，星探
Word Originlate Middle English (as a verb): from Old French escouter ‘listen’, earlier ascolter, from Latin auscultare.