| 释义 |
† deˈgenerous, a. Obs.
[f. L. dēgener degenerate, bastard, spurious (see degenerate v.) + -ous, after generous a., of which it is, in some senses, treated as a derivative: cf. ungenerous, degallant.]
1. Fallen from ancestral virtue or excellence, unworthy of one's ancestry or kindred, degenerate.
a. of persons.
1600Dekker Gentle Craft Wks. 1873 I. 74 Your Grace to do me honour Heapt on the head of this degenerous boy Desertless favours. 1643Prynne Sov. Power Parl. iv. 35 Disclaiming them as degenerous Brats, and not their sonnes. a1734North Lives I. 199 An upstart and degenerous race.
b. of personal qualities, feelings, actions, etc.
1597Daniel Civ. Wars i. lii, The least felt touch of a degenerous feare. a1734North Exam. ii. v. §41 (1740) 338 That this Passive-Obedience or Non-Resistance of theirs is a slavish and degenerous Principle.
c. transf. Characterized by degeneration.
1611Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. x. (1632) 647 In our effeminate and degenerous age. 1690Boyle Chr. Virtuoso ii. 39 Especially in such a Degenerous age.
d. Const. from. (rare.)
1657Bp. H. King Poems iii. ix. (1843) 91 He n'er had shew'd Himself..So much degen'rous from renowned Vere. 1695Dodwell Def. Vind. Deprived Bps. 36 The Ages he deals in were very degenerous from the Piety and Skill of their Primitive Ancestors.
2. transf. and fig. of things (esp. organisms or organic products).
1635F. White Sabbath Ep. Ded. 4 A good tree hath some degenerous branches. 1748Univ. Mag. Aug. 65 That..a new born child should..be corrupted by the degenerous and adventitious milk of another.
Hence † deˈgenerously adv., † deˈgenerousness.
1627H. Burton Baiting of Pope's Bull 94 No true Englishman will be..so vnnaturally and degenerously impious. a1734North Lives I. 371 Naming him so degenerously as he did. 1678Walton Life Sanderson (1681) 2 All the Rubbish of their Degenerousness ought to fall heavy on such dishonourable heads. |