| 释义 |
sternness|ˈstɜːnnɪs|
Forms: α. 4–6 steernesse, stiernesse, sternesse, 5 sturnesse; β. 4–5 sturnenesse, sternenysse, 7 sternenes; 6 sternnesse, 7– sternness.
[f. stern a. + -ness.]
1. Severity of disposition or mood; rigour in punishment or condemnation; an instance of this; hardness, harshness, obduracy, † fierceness.
1382Wyclif Ezek. xxxiv. 4 Bot with steernesse [1388 sturnenesse] ȝe comaundide to hem, and with power. c1400Sege Jerus. (E.E.T.S.) 29/517 Noþer grounded in god, ne on his grace tristen, Bot alle in sterymnes [v.r. sternenysse] of stour & in strengþ one. 1483Cath. Angl. 363/1 Sternesse, pertinacia. a1500Medulla Gram., Austeritas, steernesse or felnesse. 1540–1Elyot Image Gov. 22 That grauitee and sternesse, whiche is in you, as it were by nature ingenerate. 1692Dryden Cleomenes i. i. 7, I have sternness in my Soul enough To hear of Murders, Rapes, and Sacrilege. 1741Richardson Pamela I. 35 She was a little too much frighted, as she owned afterwards, at his Sternness. 1844Mrs. Browning Brown Rosary i. vi, But his mother was wroth. In a sternness quoth she, ‘As thou play'st at the ball, art thou playing with me?’ 1885Manch. Exam. 26 Jan. 5/3 It is found compatible with the strictest discipline, and indeed with rhadamanthine sternness. 1914Edin. Rev. Oct. 320 A typical Frenchman..bland and gracious, but with a capacity for sternness.
b. quasi-concr., applied to a goddess.
a1616Beaum. & Fl. Bonduca iii. i, Thou sure-steel'd sternnesse, give us this day good hearts, good enemies.
†2. Rigour, inclemency (of climate). Obs.
1387Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 51 And for þe sturnesse of heuene [L. inclementia caeli] he haþ þe more wildernes.
3. Of aspect: Severity, formidableness.
1590Spenser F.Q. ii. x. 7 Of stature huge, and eke of courage bold, That sonnes of men amazd their sternnesse to behold. 1611Shakes. Wint. T. iv. iv. 24 How Should I..behold The sternnesse of his presence. 1794Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho xxxix, Emily was terrified by the sternness of his look.
b. Of scenery, buildings, etc.: Severity; harshness in nature or aspect.
1812J. Wilson Isle of Palms ii. 387 The sternness of this dismal Isle Is soften'd by thy saintly smile. 1860Tyndall Glac. i. xxvii. 197, I..enjoyed for a time the sternness of the surrounding scene. |