释义 |
▪ I. † er, conj. Obs. [contracted f. ME. eðer, eiðer, OE. ǽᵹðer either. Cf. or.] = or.
c1220Rel. Ant. I. 211 Fare he norð, er fare he suð leren he sal his nede. Ibid. 219 On stede er on stalle stille er lude in mot er in market er oni oðer wise. 1389in Eng. Gilds 31 Qwat brother or syster, be goddis sonde, falle in mischefe er mys-ese..he schal han Almesse. ▪ II. er|ɜː(r)| Used to express the inarticulate sound or murmur made by a hesitant speaker. Also, preceded by Mr. (or Miss, etc.), used in place of a name of which the speaker is uncertain. Also as v. intr.
1862St. James's Mag. Mar. 481 Oh!—er—Well I think it was a—er—little fête at—at—Dear me—where was it? 1878Porcupine XX. 681/2 Those ladies and gentlemen..who have had the advantage of—er—being—er—confined in Newgate prison. 1904V. L. Whitechurch Canon in Residence i. 9 Mr. Smith said, ‘Er, can I have a bed?’ 1912R. W. Wright-Henderson Annabel i. 9, I think, Mr. Buckle, if you would slightly modulate—er—that is—. Ibid. viii. 122 Have you decided yet what—er—. 1924R. Macaulay Orphan Island xxi, Grandmamma's—er—adultery (if you will pardon the crude word). 1931Time & Tide 12 Sept. 1057 He ahs and ers, and hums and hawes his way through an incredibly fatuous pronouncement. 1935Marsh & Jellett Nursing-Home Murder viii. 116 That's what makes it so dreadful, Mr.—er—I never could have believed it. 1940‘N. Blake’ Malice in Wonderland ix. 129 You sound quite breathless, Miss Er. 1958Aspects of Translation 37 The really astute Englishman..must feign a certain diffident hesitation, put in a few well-placed —ers. 1967R. Rendell Wolf to Slaughter vi. 56, I happened to see your advert in Grover's window, Mrs. Er..? ▪ III. er obs. form of ere before, sooner. ▪ IV. er obs. form of are: see be v. |