| 释义 |
-dom, suffix
[OE. -dóm = OS. -dóm, MDu. -doem, Du. -dom, OHG., MHG. -tuom, G. -tum.]
Abstract suffix of state, which has grown out of an independent n., orig. putting, setting, position, statute, OHG. tuom, position, condition, dignity, in OE. dóm, statute, judgement, jurisdiction, f. stem dô- of do v. + abstract suffix -moz, OE. -m, as in hel-m, sea-m, strea-m, etc. Frequent already in OE. as a suffix to ns. and adjs., as biscopdóm the dignity of a bishop, cyningdóm, cynedóm, royal or kingly dominion, kingdom, ealdordóm the position or jurisdiction of an elder or lord; þeowdóm, the condition of a þeow or slave; fréodóm, háliᵹdóm, wisdóm the condition or fact of being free, holy, or wise. The number of these derivatives has increased in later times, and -dom is now a living suffix, freely employed to form nonce-derivatives, not only with the sense of ‘condition, state, dignity’, but also with that of ‘domain, realm’ (fig.). See in their alphabetical places alderdom, Anglo-Saxondom, boredom, Christendom, cuckoldom, dukedom, earldom, freedom, kingdom, martyrdom, popedom, sheriffdom, thraldom, wisdom, etc. Examples of nonce-words appear in the quotations.
1885H. Pearson R. Browning 8 Pomona..to express all appledom and peardom. 1882H. C. Merivale Faucit of B. I. i. iv. 58 Entitled him to all the honours of B.A. dom. 1887St. Louis Globe Democrat 2 Feb., A real, live Dakota man..fresh from Blizzardom. 1880New Virginians I. 237 Meanwhile curdom flourishes. 1889Pall Mall G. 3 Aug. 2/2 To test..the good-sailordom of the spectators. Ibid. 7 Oct. 2/1 Imagine Manchesterdom Protectionist. 1894Times 27 Sept. 7/4 Says Mr. Labouchere, ‘Liberal officialdom has wet-blanketted it.’ Ibid 6 June 11/3 The ranks of old fogeydom. 1894Henty Dorothy's Double I. 91 A..specimen of English squiredom. 1889Pall Mall G. 26 Dec. 1/3 The classic pile which..divides clubland from theatredom. 1890Spectator 18 Jan., A pervading atmosphere of topsy-turveydom. |