| 释义 |
fluctuation|flʌktjuːˈeɪʃən|
Also 5 -acion.
[ad. (either directly or through Fr.) L. fluctuātiōn-em, n. of action f. fluctuāre: see fluctuate v. and -ation.]
The action of fluctuating.
1. A motion like that of the waves, an alternate rise and fall. Now rare in physical sense.
1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vii. xvii. 377 In vaine wee expect a regularity in the waves of the Sea..its Fluctuations are but motions subservient. 1774Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) I. 259 This fluctuation of the sea. 1847Tennyson Princess vi. 335 Each base..of those tall columns drown'd In silken fluctuation. 1850― In Mem. cxii, And world wide fluctuation sway'd In vassal tides that follow'd thought.
b. Path. The undulation of a fluid in any cavity or tumour of the body.
1620Venner Via Recta Introd. 8 They..cause fluctuations, and flatuousnesse in the body. 1640G. Watts tr. Bacon's Adv. Learn. iv. i. 183 The fluctuation or pensility of the Bowells. 1754–64Smellie Midwif. II. 149, I plainly felt a fluctuation of water. 1807–26S. Cooper First Lines Surg. (ed. 5) 253 The inside of the thigh..presented a kind of fluctuation. 1860in Fowler Med. Voc.
2. The action or condition of passing more or less rapidly and suddenly from one state to another; an instance of this; repeated variation, vicissitude. In pl. ‘ups and downs’.
1609Bible (Douay) Ps. liv. [lv]. 23 [22] He wil not geve fluctuation to the just for ever. c1661Papers on Alter. Prayer-bk. 82 The Moderatour of the Universe raised up such guides as were sufficient, in so great a fluctuation. 1712Berkeley Pass. Obed. §54 Wks. III. 138 In the various changes and fluctuations of government. 1753(title), Travels and Adventures of Wm. Bingfield Esq. containing as surprizing a Fluctuation of Circumstances, both by Sea and Land, as ever befel one Man. 1841D'Israeli Amen. Lit. (1867) 132 Every modern language has always existed in fluctuation and change.
b. An alternate rise and fall in amount or degree, price or value, temperature, etc.
1802Paley Nat. Theol. xxii. 430 Inconveniency from fluctuation of temperature and season. 1804Wellington in Gurw. Desp. III. 425 The expenses for the repairs..are liable to fluctuation. 1878Huxley Physiogr. 22 The height of the mercurial column is subject to..fluctuation.
3. The condition of passing alternately from one opinion or sentiment to another; an instance of this; vacillation, wavering.
c1450tr. De Imitatione i. xxv, He was comfortid..& þe douteful fluctuacion cessid. 1608D. T. Ess. Pol. & Mor. 42 Hee suffered not himselfe to be carried away with any such humourous fluctuation. 1717L. Howel Desiderius (ed. 3) 99 Subject to no..Fluctuations of the Mind. 1775Johnson Tax. no Tyr. 54 The House of Commons was in a state of fluctuation. 1824L. Murray Eng. Gram. (ed. 5) I. 205 During this inquiry, we should be plunged into a state of uncertainty and fluctuation. 1861Geo. Eliot Silas M. 7 A strange fluctuation between an effort at an increased manifestation of regard and involuntary signs of shrinking and dislike. |