| 释义 |
toilsome, a.|ˈtɔɪlsəm|
[f. toil n.1 + -some.]
1. Of actions, conditions, etc.: Characterized by or involving toil; laborious, tiring.
1581J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor. 23 b, O my ouer tedious and toylesome lucke, that hoped to dispute with a learned and discrete Diuine,..: but now finde all contrary. 1590Spenser F.Q. i. iv. 3 For she is wearie of the toilsom way. 1667Milton P.L. xi. 179 What can be toilsom in these pleasant Walkes? 1707Curios. in Husb. & Gard. 111 The making of Cyder being Toilsom and expensive. 1855Macaulay Hist. Eng. xiii. III. 358 The ascent had been long and toilsome.
b. Of concrete things: Entailing toil.
1609W. M. Man in Moone (Percy Soc.) 44 The toylsomest burden that combreth a man. 1791Cowper Odyss. x. 94 Our force Exhausting ceaseless at the toilsome oar.
2. Of an agent: = toilful 1.
1655H. Vaughan Silex Scint. ii. Quickness v, Thou art a toylsom Mole. a1841Shepard in Ess. Chr. Ministry 66/2 Fervent, heroic, toilsome men. 1845Longfellow Rain in Summer vii, In the furrowed land The toilsome and patient oxen stand.
†3. Caused by toil. Obs. rare.
1590Spenser F.Q. ii. v. 30 Toylsom sweat. Ibid. xii. 29 Ne ever sought to bayt His tyred armes for toylesome wearinesse.
Hence ˈtoilsomely adv., in a toilsome manner, laboriously; ˈtoilsomeness, laboriousness.
1614Bp. Hall Contempl., O.T. viii. v, Their life must be *toilesomely spent in hewing of wood, and drawing of water for all Israel. 1816Scott Bl. Dwarf iv, Slowly and toilsomely labouring to pile the large stones one upon another. 1871H. Macmillan True Vine ii. (1872) 61 Earning toilsomely his daily bread.
1586Stanyhurst Ded. to Sir H. Sidney in Holinshed (1808) VI. 274 The *toilesomnesse of the paine I refer to my priuat knowledge. 1630R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 89 A Peasant, disparaged in his drudgery and servile toilsomenesse. 1889Spectator 30 Nov., All dwelt on the painful toilsomeness of manual work, and not one on the satisfaction it produces. |