| 释义 |
▪ I. subterfuge, n.|ˈsʌbtəfjuːdʒ|
[ad. L. subterfugium, f. subterfugĕre, f. subter- subter- (2) + fugĕre to flee. Cf. F. subterfuge, It. sutterfugio, Sp., Pg. subterfugio.]
1. An artifice or device to which a person resorts in order to escape the force of an argument, to avoid condemnation or censure, or to justify his conduct; an evasion or shift. Chiefly of discourse, argument, debate, but also of action in general.
1573J. Tyrie Refut. in Cath. Tractates (S.T.S.) 29, I dout na thing, gif thay ansver directlie without all subterfuge,..that it salbe easie to everie man to espy quha defendis the richt caus. 1611Cotgr., Subterfuge, a subterfuge; a shift; a priuie slip, craftie euasion, cunning escape. 1637–50Row Hist. Kirk (Wodrow Soc.) 268 That no such subterfuge be left unto impious and wicked men. 1651Chas. II. Let. 24 May in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. i. 42 That with⁓out delays or subterfuges the goods be restored. 1659H. More Immort. Soul iii. xiv. 475 The Fifth and last is rather a Subterfuge then an Objection. 1665Glanvill Scepsis Sci. vii. 39 All their shifts, subtilties, newly invented Words and Modes, sly subterfuges and studyed evasions. 1741Watts Impr. Mind i. x. (1801) 87 Do not affect little shifts and subterfuges to avoid the force of an argument. 1781Cowper Friendship 189 No subterfuge or pleading Shall win my confidence again. 1784― Task ii. 670 By forgery, by subterfuge of law. 1829Lytton Disowned vi By what subterfuge, or cavil, does the present claimant of these estates hope to dislodge their rightful possessor. 1843R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. x. 106, I speak here without any subterfuge. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. v. I. 564 It was answered that the earl was asleep. The privy councillor thought that this was a subterfuge, and insisted on entering. 1895Rider Haggard Heart of World xvi, I will answer you, and, scorning subterfuge or falsehood, set out the whole matter in the hearing of the people.
b. contextually: A means of escape (from censure, etc.); an excuse.
1755Smollett Quix. (1803) 122 You have no subterfuge, nor the least room to say you was deceived. 1761Hume Hist. Eng. II. xxxix. 377 The queen of Scots had no other subterfuge from these pressing remonstrances. 1828Scott F.M. Perth xxxiv, You seek but a subterfuge, that you may say when you are defeated..that it was for want of the number of your band fully counted out.
†2. A place to which a person escapes; a retreat, refuge. Obs.
1616Bullokar Engl. Expos., Subterfuge,..a place to hide or saue one in. 1660in Sel. Harl. Misc. (1793) 379 My lord of Derby had taken this place for a subterfuge, after the defeat given him by Colonel Lilburn. 1665Manley Grotius' Low C. Wars 363 There were in the Castle Subterfuges and Scluces, to prevent the inraging [orig. iram] of the Enemy. 1737Whiston Josephus ii. vi. vii. 941 They depended on these under ground subterfuges.
fig.1720Welton Suffer. Son of God I. iv. 68 We have now a Subterfuge to flee to; under which, we are sure to be shelter'd from the Justice and Wrath of God. 1844Thirlwall Greece lxvi. VIII. 426 This proposal drove the senate out of its last subterfuge.
†3. That which conceals; a ‘cloak’. Obs.
1635R. Brathwait Arcadian Princ. 55 Connivence gives impunity to impiety, and greatnesse becomes a Subterfuge to guiltinesse. a1718Prior Knowledge 710 They..sculk behind the Subterfuge of Art. 1733Cheyne Engl. Malady ii. viii. §3. 194 The Spleen or Vapours..is a common Subterfuge for meer Ignorance of the Nature of Distempers.
▪ II. † ˈsubterfuge, v. Obs. rare.
[ad. L. subterfugĕre (see prec.).]
1. intr. To employ subterfuges.
1637in Prynne's Disc. Prel. Tyrr. (1641) ii. 95 Upon paine of suspention of the parties offending, or subterfuging.
2. trans. To escape, evade, get out of.
1641J. Shute Sarah & Hagar (1649) 59 Jonah had a plot to subterfuge his employment to Nineveh. a1643― Judgem. & Mercy (1645) 80 Whatsoever plea he hath before thought of to subterfuge the judgement.
So † ˈsubterfuging ppl. a., employing subterfuges; evasive.
1802in Ann. Rev. (1803) I. 391/2 No little, narrow policy, will do; no partial meanness, no monopoly, no jobbing business, nor subterfuging tricks of avarice! |