| 释义 |
flighty, a.|ˈflaɪtɪ|
[f. flight n.1 + -y1.]
1. Swift, quick, fleet. rare.
1552Huloet, Flighty, pernix. 1605Shakes. Macb. iv. i. 145 The flighty purpose neuer is o're-tooke Vnlesse the deed go with it. 1856Lowell Lett. (1894) I. 257 My journey thither was sudden and flighty.
b. ? nonce-use. = Fleeting.
1850Browning Christmas Eve vi. 26 Another rainbow rose..flushier and flightier.
2. Given to flights of imagination, humour, caprice, etc.; guided by whim or fancy rather than by judgement or settled purpose; fickle, frivolous, inconstant.
1768–74Tucker Lt. Nat. (1852) I. 592 The flighty gambols of chance are objects of no science, nor grounds of any dependence whatever. a1774Goldsm. New Simile 20 With wit that's flighty. 1801M. Edgeworth Angelina ii. (1832) 17, I believe by her flighty airs, she is upon no good errand. 1848Mill Pol. Econ. i. vii. §5 The effect..of flighty, unsteady habits upon the energy and continuity of their work. 1878Mrs. H. Wood Pomeroy Ab. I. 88 Her own maid, a flighty, gossiping damsel.
b. Of a horse: Skittish.
1828Sporting Mag. XXIII. 106 The management of a Flighty Horse in his exercise or sweat.
3. Of weak or disordered intellect, crazy, light-headed. Also absol.
1802Beddoes Hygeia III. 15 To protect the insane or flighty against their [relations'] rapacity. 1820W. Irving Sketch-bk. (1859) 34 This was one point on which he always remained flighty. 1845Darwin Voy. Nat. iv. (1879) 74 The poor flighty gentleman looked quite dolorous. |