| 释义 |
Svengali|svɛŋˈgɑːlɪ|
The name of Svengali, musician and hypnotist, a character in the novel Trilby (1894) by George Du Maurier, used transf. and allusively to designate one who exercises a controlling or mesmeric influence on another, freq. for some sinister purpose. Also attrib. and Comb.
1914Kipling Diversity of Creatures (1917) 145 I'm glad Zvengali's back where he belongs [referring to a dog with a mesmeric stare]. 1919C. Mackenzie Sylvia & Michael iv. 92 The juggler..passed into the category of the Svengalis, and became one of a long line of romantic impossibilities. 1934B. Darwin Playing the Like 121 He believes himself a new Svengali with a second Trilby. 1942Amer. Speech XVII. 90/1 The word ‘Svengali’ shows the player's ability to keep his opponent so ‘hypnotized’ that he will not be aware of his trickery. 1962N. Freeling Love in Amsterdam i. 40 He fascinated her. Svengali stuff. 1963Auden Dyer's Hand 457 It is impossible to represent Christ on the stage. If he is made dramatically interesting, he ceases to be Christ and turns into a Hercules or a Svengali. 1966N. Marsh Black Beech & Honeydew x. 231 A hideous Svengali-like face. 1972Maclean's Mag. Mar. 41/2 He had a strange hypnotic power—not that he was a Svengali, but when he spoke people listened. 1978M. Dickens Open Book vi. 59 Charles Pick..already showed the infectious Svengali enthusiasm to which many writers beside me owe the fact that they have had the courage to go on writing. |