| 释义 |
▪ I. diˈvining, vbl. n.
[f. divine v. + -ing1.]
1. The action of the verb divine:
a. Soothsaying, prophecy, divination.
b. Conjecture, guessing.
c1340Hampole Prose Tr. (1866) 9 In þis comandement es forbodyn to gyffe trouthe till socerye or till dyuynyngez by sternys. c1374Chaucer Boeth. v. pr. iii. 122 (Camb. MS.) Elles what difference is ther bytwixe the prescience and thilke Iapeworthi dyuynenge of tyresye the dyuynor? 1483Cath. Angl. 102 A Dyuynynge be fyre, piromancia. A Diuinynge be water, jdromancia. 1646J. Geree (title) Astrologo-Mastix, or a Discovery of the Vanity and Iniquity of Judiciall Astrology or Divining by the Starres. 1860Pusey Min. Proph. Jonah i. 7 The lot for divining..is wrong, except by direct inspiration of God.
2. attrib., as divining-rod, divining-staff, divining-stick, divining-wand: a rod, etc., used in divination; spec. a forked stick, by means of which certain persons are reputed to have the power of tracing and indicating subterraneous supplies of water and mineral veins. See quots.; also dowsing-rod.
1656Cowley Pindar. Odes, To Mr. Hobs iii, With fond Divining-Wands, We search among the dead For Treasures buried. Ibid. Note, Virgula Divina; or a Divining-Wand is a two-forked branch of an Hazel-Tree..used for the finding out either of Veins, or hidden Treasures of Gold or Silver; and being carryed about, bends downwards (or rather is said to do so) when it comes to the place where they lye. 1712J. James tr. Le Blond's Gardening 188 To find out Water by the Help of a Hasel-Wand, called a Divining-Stick. 1751Gentl. Mag. Nov. (Brand Pop. Antiq.) So early as Agricola the divining Rod was in much request, and has obtained great credit for its discovering where to dig for Metals and Springs of Water..lately it has been revived with great success. 1816Scott Antiq. xvii. 1883P. Robinson in Harper's Mag. Oct. 708/1 The divining-rod finds its professors and disciples..in every part of the world. 1888Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk., Dowse, to use the divining-rod for the purpose of finding springs of water.
▪ II. diˈvining, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
That divines, foresees, or conjectures; soothsaying, prophesying, conjecturing, guessing, etc.
1382Wyclif 1 Kings xxviii. 7 There is a womman havynge a dyvynynge spirite in Endore. 1593Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, iv. vi. 69 If secret Powers suggest but truth To my diuining thoughts. 1697Dryden æneid vi. 54 The mad divining dame, The priestess of the god, Deiphobe her name. 1876Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. v. xxxix, This dreadfully divining personage—evidently Satan in grey trousers. |