| 释义 |
▪ I. ˈtime-ˌserving, vbl. n.
[See time-server, and serve v.1 11.]
The action or conduct of a time-server; ‘trimming’.
1621Burton Anat. Mel. ii. iii. vi. 419 Let them goe on, get wealth,..by impudence, and time-seruing, let them..crosse me on every side. 1642Fuller Holy & Prof. St. iii. xix. 202 There be foure kinds of Time-serving: first out of Christian discretion, which is commendable; second, out of humane infirmity, which is more pardonable; third and fourth, out of ignorance, or affection, both which are damnable. 1712Addison Spect. No. 445 ⁋6, I have been accused by these despicable Wretches of Trimming, Time-serving. 1894Mrs. Oliphant Hist. Sk. Q. Anne vi. 315 It was all devotion, not time-serving as the vulgar thought.
▪ II. ˈtime-ˌserving, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. with -ing2.]
†1. Serving the time or season; serviceable, seasonable. Obs. rare—1.
1627Perrot Tithes 70 His ships..full richly stowed with all manner of choice and time-serving commodities.
2. Characterized by interested compliance; ‘trimming’, temporizing.
1630Prynne Anti-Armin. 77 Not by some one or two ambitious, time-seruing, nouellizing Diuines. 1638Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 99 His owne two sonnes..brought also to Mahobet by tyme-serving Madoffer-chan to abide his mercy. 1809Malkin Gil Blas xii. iii. (Rtldg.) 428 The school of time-serving morality. 1860–70Stubbs Lect. Europ. Hist. i. viii. (1904) 100 The leading man..was a time-serving rogue.
Hence ˈtime-ˌservingness.
a1734North Lives (1826) I. 2, [I] ascribe it chiefly to ignorance, although I think time-servingness and malice hath the greatest share. 1812Shelley in Hogg Life (1858) II. 196 The address..so barefaced a piece of time-servingness. 1890Lippincott's Mag. May 763 The cowardice and the time servingness. |