| 释义 |
▪ I. subversive, a.|səbˈvɜːsɪv|
[ad. L. *subversīvus, f. subvers-, pa. ppl. stem of subvertĕre to subvert: see -ive. Cf. F. subversif, Sp. su(b)versivo, Pg. subversivo.]
Having a tendency to subvert or overthrow; tending to subversion.
1644Hunton Vindic. Treat. Mon. iv. 22 Who have..actually used forceable Resistance against subversive Instruments of their Soveraignes Will. 1730Waterland Rem. Clarke's Expos. Ch.-Catech. 92 If we once yield to go farther than is reasonable..in the subversive Way, there is no knowing where..to stop. 1858Stanley Life Arnold II. ix. 156 One fatal error, subversive indeed, in its consequences. 1885R. L. & F. Stevenson Dynamiter 88 Whether it was the salt or the mustard, or the mere combination of so many subversive agents,..the young sufferer obtained relief. 1887Lowell Democracy, etc. 12 Nor was it among the people that subversive or mistaken doctrines had their rise.
b. Const. of.
1724A. Collins Gr. Chr. Relig. 245 They put a sense upon the words subversive of the true literal sense. 1762Kames Elem. Crit. (1763) II. xviii. 433, I know no other fault more subversive of the melody. 1769Blackstone Comm. iv. 52 The principles of the papists being deservedly looked upon to be subversive of the civil government. 1812D'Israeli Calam. Auth. (1879) 177 There is a poignant delight in study, often subversive of human happiness. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. i. I. 121 Liberties which, if allowed to any other troops, would have proved subversive of all discipline.
c. Const. to. (rare.)
1786Francis the Philanthropist III. 163 To obviate inconveniences so subversive to their interests. 1879Cassell's Techn. Educ. II. 55/1 That same system..was..doomed to the most violent opposition as subversive to the Christian faith. 1912Ulster Covenant in Standard 20 Sept. 8/4 Being convinced in our conscience that Home Rule would be..subversive to our civil and religious freedom.
Add: Hence subˈversively adv.; subˈversiveness n.
1961Webster, Subversively adv., subversiveness n. 1965Punch 26 May 762/1 Nudity, violence, squalor, blasphemy, subversiveness and distortion are somehow morally OK qualities in the visual arts. 1976Economist 10 Jan. 14/1 Some of its wilder members are ready to express their opposition as disruptively and as subversively as they can. 1983Time 28 Mar. 61/1 He who has gained that generous view inevitably moderates the books in his charge, domesticates their subversiveness.
▪ II. subˈversive, n.
[f. the adj.]
A subversive person; one who wishes to overthrow a political regime. Also transf. and fig.
1887G. Meredith Let. Feb. (1970) II. 853 Londoners,..ladies, dandies, mild revolutionists, total subversives, would mob together. 1927Weekly Dispatch 23 Oct. 1/2 The fight against subversive anti-Fascism ceased. The subversives were crushed. 1951Manch. Guardian 30 June 5/5 They [sc. the Chinese] have had quite a lesson in Korea and would hesitate before moving into Burma, except as subversives. 1954I. Deutscher Age of Permanent Revolution 14 He [sc. Trotsky] stakes everything on the change and upheaval that Time, the great subversive, must bring about. 1977F. Ormsby Store of Candles 49 At high tide the sea is under the city, A natural subversive. 1978‘J. Higgins’ Day of Judgment v. 75 You specialized in handling subversives, revolutionary movements generally and so on. |