| 释义 |
subfusc, a. and n.|ˈsʌb-, sʌbˈfʌsk|
Also -fusk.
[ad. L. subfuscus, var. of suffuscus: see sub- 21 a + fusk.]
a. Of dusky, dull, or sombre hue; spec. of clothing: dark, as prescribed by the regulations of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge for examinations and other formal occasions.
a1763Shenstone Economy iii. 26 O'er whose quiescent walls Arachne's unmolested care has drawn Curtains subfusk. 1770J. Clubbe Misc. Tracts I. 4 Their subfusk complexions were probably acquired by greasy unguents and fuliginous mixtures dried in by the sun. 1853‘C. Bede’ Verdant Green i. v, [University] statutes which required him..to wear garments only of a black or ‘subfusk’ hue. 1887W. Beatty-Kingston Mus. & Mann. II. 321 The surface..is become subfusk in hue with sheer feverish dryness. 1895Pall Mall Gaz. 16 Dec. 11/1 The subfusc marbling of the convolvulus hawk [moth]. 1930W. J. Locke Town of Tombarel v. 163 Cousin Hortense in some sort of unremarkable subfusc raiment. 1973New Society 1 Nov. 259/3 His clothes very subfusc—grey suit, polished black shoes, the only brightness a purple and red bowtie. 1978G. Greene Human Factor v. i. 232 Two women who might have been sisters in their similar subfusc clothing waited by what he guessed was a confessional box.
fig.1893E. Gosse Questions at Issue 150 To overdash their canvases with the subfusc hues of sentiment. 1900Athenæum 28 July 116/1 Such Philistines..provide a suitable and sub-fusk background for the real figures in the Italian family group. 1927C. Parsons in Oxford Poetry 24 Lost in what corner of this maze, With mind already dyed subfusc. 1949C. P. Snow Time of Hope v. xxxiii. 280 Allen..made subfusc, malicious, aunt-like jokes at Getliffe's expense. 1958L. Durrell Balthazar x. 210 The frail subfusc moonlight glancing along the waves. 1970N. Marsh When in Rome iv. 106 Mailer seemed to me to be, in a subfusc sort of way, cocksure.
b. (a) absol. with the; (b) as n. Subfusc colour; subfusc dress.
1710Steele & Addison Tatler No. 260 ⁋5 The Portuguese's Complexion was a little upon the Subfusk. 1882Blackw. Mag. Aug. 234 The Apotheker had not deigned to alter or add to his ordinary suit of professional ‘subfusk’. 1914Ibid. Jan. 109/2 They give us drabs and subfuscs instead of the glowing colours of life. 1944A. L. Rowse Eng. Spirit xxxvii. 260 Black⁓gowned young men and women, all dutifully clad in sub fusc. 1961E. Williams George xx. 320, I was able to keep up the illusion of study by twice donning sub-fusc and walking down to the Examination Schools in white tie and mortar-board. |