1845, "stamped onto a medal," from medal (n.). From 1857 as "to award (someone or something) a medal;" intransitive sense is 20c. Related: Medaled; medalled; medaling; medalling.
medal (n.)
1580s, from Middle French médaille (15c.), from Italian medaglia "a medal," according to OED from Vulgar Latin *metallea (moneta) "metal (coin)," from Latin metallum (see metal). The other theory [Klein, Barnhart, Watkins] is that medaglia originally meant "coin worth half a denarius," and is from Vulgar Latin *medalia, from Late Latin medialia "little halves," neuter plural of medialis "of the middle" (see medial (adj.)). Originally a trinket or charm; as a reward for merit, proficiency, etc., attested from 1751.
权威例句
1. It was an unbelievable moment when Chris won the gold medal.
克里斯赢得金牌的那一刻令人不可思议。
2. The United States will be at the top of the medal table.
美国将在奖牌榜上位列第一。
3. Theresa Zabell ran away with the women's gold medal.
特雷莎·扎贝尔轻松获得了女子金牌。
4. An Olympic gold medal is the most sought-after prize in world sport.
在世界体坛上,一枚奥运会金牌是最令人向往的奖项。
5. For his dedication the Mayor awarded him a medal of merit.