| 释义 |
superficial, a. (n.)|s(j)uːpəˈfɪʃəl|
Also 5–7 -ficiall, (5 -ficialle, -fyciall, 6 -fi-, -fycyall, -fytial, -fyxcyall).
[ad. late L. superficiālis, f. superficies: see -al1. Cf. F. superficiel, It. superficiale, Sp., Pg. superficial.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to the surface; that is, lies, or is found at or on the surface; constituting the surface, outermost part, or crust.
Sometimes spec. in Geol. etc. = pertaining to the surface of the earth, as deposits; not belonging to the consolidated formation.
c1420? Lydgate Assembly of Gods 538 Sodeynly by weet constreynyd..Was the ground to close hys superfyciall face. 1503Hawes Examp. Virt. vii. 145 Mannes humayne partyes superfyxcyall. 1555Eden Decades i. iv. (Arb.) 82 The myners dygged the superficiall or vppermost parte of the earthe. 1587Greene Penelopes Web Wks. (Grosart) V. 150 Nature had made her beautifull by a superficiall glorie of well proportioned lineaments. 1692Ray Disc. ii. (1732) 6 Over the superficial Part of the Earth. 1796Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 420 Superficial combustions..produce singular effects, which have often been mistaken for those of true volcanos. 1796C. Marshall Garden. iv. (1813) 48 An excellent way of manuring, where the superficial soil is much exhausted. 1829T. Castle Introd. Bot. 58 With regard to their superficial figure, they are either capillary, linear, gramineous, [etc.]. 1842Penny Cycl. XXIII. 305/1 A more exact appreciation of the causes which have permitted the aggregation of the ‘superficial deposits’. 1872Huxley Physiol. v. 129 The rise in the temperature of the superficial blood. 1884Bower & Scott De Bary's Phaner. 557 The white superficial periderm of younger stems.
b. Of actions or conditions: Taking place or existing at or on the surface.
1815J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 146 The velocity of running water..is generally about nine-tenths of the superficial velocity. 1871Tyndall Fragm. Sci. (1879) I. iv. 129 An amount of light derived from superficial reflection. 1887Bentley Man. Bot. (ed. 5) 283 In the Flowering Rush,..they [sc. the ovules] cover the whole inner surface of the ovary except the midrib; in which case the placentation is sometimes described as superficial.
†c. Drawn or delineated upon a (flat) surface. Obs. rare.
1603Daniel Def. Ryme G 4, Historye (which is but a Mappe of men)..dooth no otherwise acquaint vs with the true Substance of Circumstances, than a superficiall Carde dooth the Sea-man with a Coast neuer seene. 1664Power Exp. Philos. Pref. c iij b, Gloss'd outside Fallacies; like our Stage-scenes, or Perspectives, that shew things inwards, when they are but superficial paintings.
d. Anat. Applied to organs or parts situated just beneath the skin; subcutaneous.
1804Abernethy Surg. Obs. 21 The superficial veins appear remarkably large. 1835–6Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 467/2 The subcutaneous or superficial bursæ. 1884W. Pye Surg. Handicraft 14 The line of the superficial femoral artery.
e. Applied to the right to enjoy the surface of land for building or other purposes; also to persons possessing such a right.
1830Sir C. Wetherell in Concanen Trials, Rowe v. Benton 16 His case is that he, as a superficial occupier, has a right to that which is taken up from under the soil. Ibid., He may have both the superficial right, and the right to the minerals.
2. Of or pertaining to a superficies; relating to or involving two dimensions; esp. relating to extent of surface. (Distinguished from linear, and from solid.) superficial measure, square measure.
1571Digges Pantom. ii. i. M j, Multiplie one of the equall sides in it selfe, the halfe of the producte is the Area or superficiall Contente. 1656tr. Hobbes' Elem. Philos. (1839) 184 An angle is of two sorts; for, first, it may be made by the concurrence of lines, and then it is a superficial angle; or by the concurrence of superficies, and then it is called a solid angle. 1726Dict. Rust. (ed. 3), Superficial, or Square Measure..in a square Mile 640 square Acres [etc.]. 1824Act 5 George IV, c. 74 §1 All other Measures of Extension whatsoever, whether the same be lineal, superficial or solid. 1831Brewster Optics xli. 336 The superficial magnifying power is the number of times that it [sc. an object] is magnified in surface. 1880Geikie Phys. Geog. iv. 172 [Europe] has six times more coast-line in proportion to its superficial extent than Africa has.
b. superficial foot, superficial yard, etc.: a rectangular space measuring a foot, yard, etc. each way, or a space of whatever shape containing the same amount of area; a square foot, etc. (square a. 1 b.).
1597Skene De Verb. Sign. s.v. Particata, Ane superficiall fall of lande, is sa meikle boundis of landes, as squairly conteinis ane lineall fall of bredth, and ane lineall fall of length. 1707Mortimer Husb. (1721) II. 96 If a Board hold 2 Foot and 3 Inches in breadth, 5 Inches and 3 tenth parts of an Inch in length will make a square superficial Foot of Plank. 1825J. Nicholson Oper. Mech. 628 All faced work in slate skirting..is charged by the foot superficial. 1833Loudon Encycl. Archit. §987 A proper bond stone to be laid through the full thickness of the wall every superficial yard.
†c. Math. Of a number: Compounded of two prime factors (analogous to the two dimensions of a surface). Obs.
1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xix. cxxvi. (1495) mm iv b, The nombre Superficiall is wryten not oonly in lengthe but also in brede and is conteyned in lengthe & in brede. c1430Art Nombryng (E.E.T.S.) 14 Nombre superficial is þat comethe of ledynge [= multiplying] of 00 nombre into another, wherfor it is callede superficial, for it hathe .2. nombres notyng or mesurynge hym, as a superficialle thynge hathe .2. dimensions, þat is to sey lengthe and brede. 1704J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Superficial Numbers; the same with Plain Numbers.
3. Appearing ‘on the surface’; external, outward.
1561T. Hoby tr. Castiglione's Courtyer i. (1900) 90 Musicke..ought necessarilye to be learned..not onely for the superficial melodie that is hard, but to be sufficient to bring into us a newe habite that is good. 1711Addison Spect. No. 15 ⁋3 Smitten with every thing that is showy and superficial. 1773Burke Let. to Marq. Rockingham 29 Sept., There is a superficial appearance of equity in this tax. 1855Macaulay Hist. Eng. xxi. IV. 581 Those superficial graces for which the French aristocracy was then renowned throughout Europe. 1883Gilmour Mongols xviii. 210 The superficial aspects of Buddhism..as embodied in the life and habits of the Mongols.
4. That is only on or near the surface; affecting only the surface, not extending much below the surface; not deep.
1594Nashe Christ's T. To Rdr., Wks. 1904 II. 186 Euen of sands and superficiall bubbles they will make hideous waues and dangerous quicke-sands. 1652Crashaw Carmen Deo Nostro Wks. (1904) 209 His [sc. the sun's] superficiall Beames sun-burn't our skin; But left within The night & winter still of death & sin. 1676Wiseman Chirurg. Treat. v. i. 348 In small and superficiall Wounds, Nature of her own accord is wont to effect the Cure. 1794G. Adams Nat. & Exp. Philos. II. xx. 378 The colours of the eggs of certain birds are entirely superficial, and may be scraped off. 1849Sk. Nat. Hist., Mammalia IV. 104 Their principal food is afforded by the roots of plants, which is the object of their extensive and superficial burrows. 1854J. S. C. Abbott Napoleon (1855) I. xi. 201 When the surgeon came..to inspect his wound, it was found that it was only superficial. 1877Huxley Physiogr. 176 Compared with the great depths of the ocean, the Gulf Stream is extremely superficial.
5. Concerned only with what is on the surface, and is therefore apparent or obvious; lacking depth or thoroughness; not deep, profound, or thorough; shallow.
a. of perception, feeling.
1533More Debell. Salem Wks. 1030/1 There be few partes in hys booke..that shall..appere so good at length, as they seme..at the fyrst sight and at superficyall reading. 1576Fleming Panopl. Epist. Epit. A j b, Luckie was hee that might haue but a superficiall viewe of his person. Ibid. 188 Many..taking but as it were, a superficiall viewe of these thinges, fall into this erronious..opinion. 1683Dryden Life Plutarch 114 To vindicate our author's judgment from being superficial. a1688Cudworth Immut. Mor. (1731) 95 Sense is but a slight and Superficial Perception of the Outside..of a Corporeal Substance. 1728Welsted in J. Henley Oratory Trans. No. 1. 10 [John Henley] was admitted to Priest's Orders..: The Examination..was very short and superficial. 1791Mrs. Radcliffe Rom. Forest viii, Pity and superficial consolation were all that Madame La Motte could offer. 1845McCulloch Taxation i. iv. (1852) 111 On a superficial view, nothing seems fairer,..and yet few things would, in reality, be more unfair and mischievous. 1879G. C. Harlan Eyesight i. 9 A superficial and hasty glance at its general outlines.
b. of attainments, knowledge, learning.
1576Fleming Panopl. Epist. 281 Touching Nature their skill is but superficiall, and like a shadowe destitute of substaunce. 1605Bacon Adv. Learn. i. i. §3 A little or superficiall knowledge of Philosophie may encline the minde of man to Atheisme. 1667Pepys Diary 24 Feb., He speaks well, and hath pretty, slight, superficial parts, I believe. 1791Boswell Johnson I. Introd. 7 Men of superficial understanding, and ludicrous fancy. 1836H. Coleridge North. Worthies Introd. (1852) p. xxiv, Nothing is more likely to delude and puzzle simple persons..than a superficial acquaintance with the heads of history. 1865Ruskin Sesame ii. §75 There is a wide difference between elementary knowledge and superficial knowledge.
c. of statement, description, exposition.
1576Fleming Panopl. Epist. 377, I thinke it more auailable to kepe silence..then by saying litle, and y⊇ same superficiall, to incurre reprehension, for attempting that, which I am not able to compasse. 1591Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, v. v. 10 This superficiall tale, Is but a preface of her worthy praise. 1624Gataker Transubst. 36 His proofes are tedious, superficiall, and stuffed with impertinent allegations. a1667Cowley Agric. Wks. 1906 II. 405 To read Pompous and Superficial Lectures out of Virgils Georgickes [etc.]. 1777Robertson Hist. Amer. vii. (1778) II. 270 The accounts..are superficial, confused and inexplicable. 1855Singleton Virgil I. Pref. 18 A florid and superficial style of construing. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 339 Of the courts of law..a superficial sketch has been given.
d. transf. of persons, in respect of their actions, attainments, or character.
1603Shakes. Meas. for M. iii. ii. 147 A very superficiall, ignorant, vnweighing fellow. 1650Bulwer Anthropomet. 130 Superficial Philosophers doe much please themselves with this division. 1749Fielding Tom Jones xvii. v, Nor are Instances of this Kind [of the firmness and constancy of a true friend] so rare, as some superficial and inaccurate Observers have reported. 1853C. Brontë Villette xviii, Superficial, showy, selfish people. 1867Freeman Norm. Conq. I. i. 2 To a superficial observer the English people might seem..to be wiped out of the roll-call of the nations.
6. Of conditions, qualities, actions, occupations: Not involving a profound or serious issue; of insignificant import or influence.
c1530Judic. Urines iii. i. 46 b, Colour of the vryne is a thyng that is but shadowyng and superfycyall, and a thyng that now is and now it is not. 1626Bacon Sylva §383 The Generall Opinion is, that Yeares Hot and Moist, are most Pestilent; Vpon the Superficiall Ground, that Heat and Moisture cause Putrefaction. 1655Marquis of Worcester Cent. Inv. Ded. p. iv, I made it but for the superficial satisfaction of a friends curiosity. 1805Wordsw. Prelude iii. 209 Empty noise And superficial pastimes. a1852D. Webster Wks. (1877) IV. 416 A change superficial and apparent only, not deep and real. 1867Freeman Norm. Conq. I. ii. 19 It would seem that the Roman occupation of Britain was, after all, very superficial.
7. That has only the outward appearance of being what is denoted by the n.; only apparent or on the surface, not real or genuine.
1623Cockeram, Superficiall, bearing shew only on the outside. 1638Heywood Wise Wom. iii. i, All Sutors..being repulst..doe but waste their dayes In thanklesse suites, and superficiall praise. 1664H. More Myst. Iniq. i. xvi. 56 All such Ludicrous and Superficial Religion must needs leave the body of sin entire and untouched, and the inward Mind dead and starved. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) II. 3 The old quarrel has at least a superficial reconcilement.
B. absol. or as n.
1. With the: That which is superficial (in any sense). † in the superficial: on a plane surface.
1579Fenton Guicciard. i. 56 The Cardinall..admonished them..that they should not consider onely the superficiall and beginning of thinges [orig. la superficie, e i principii delle cose], but see deepely that which with time, and in tyme may happen. 1589Puttenham Engl. Poesie iii. xxv. (Arb.) 310 The artes of painting and keruing, whereof one represents the naturall by light colour and shadow in the superficiall or flat, the other in a body massife. 1878R. B. Smith Carthage 381 When the due distinction has been drawn between the ephemeral and the lasting, the superficial and the essential. 1892Bryce in Daily News 28 Nov. 3/2 There was all the difference in the world between the elementary and the superficial.
2. With the: Those who are superficial; rarely pl. superficial persons.
1701Swift Contests & Diss. in Athens & Rome iv. Wks. 1841 I. 292/2 The ambitious, the covetous, the superficial, and the ill designing; who are..apt to be bold, and forward. 1828Lytton Pelham I. xv, It is the young, the light, the superficial who are easily misled by error. 1852P. Hawker Diary (1893) II. 337 If my plans are adopted, the Government superficials cannot pass them off as their own suggestions.
3. pl. Superficial characteristics or qualities.
1832R. H. Froude Rem. (1838) I. 294 They cannot sink us so deep as these people have allowed themselves to fall while retaining all the superficials of a religious country. 1850Fraser's Mag. XLII. 437 Such men..will varnish over a dexterous partizan with the superficials of greatness. 1897Watts-Dunton Aylwin ii. iv, Excepting in the merest superficials, there is a far greater variety in women than in men. |