释义 |
fluency|ˈfluːənsɪ| [ad. L. fluentia: see fluence1 and -ency.] The quality or state of flowing or being fluent. †1. Affluence, copiousness, abundance. Obs. a.1623Massinger Bondman ii. iii, Thou, Gracculo, Hast fluency of courage. 1638G. Sandys Paraphr. Job xii. 16 Those who grow old in fluency and ease. 1657M. Hawke Killing is M. 20 Fluency in teares. 1658Osborn Jas. I Wks. (1673) 511 The Indies themselves would in time want fluency to feed so immense a prodigality. 1726Bradley Gardening App. 23 This last operation [graffing] may be done when the sap is in its highest Fluencies. 2. a. A smooth and easy flow; readiness, smoothness; esp. with regard to speech. b. Absence of rigidity; ease.
1636Massinger Gt. Dk. Florence v. ii, You are pleased to show, sir, The fluency of your language. 1727Pope Th. Var. Subj. in Swift's Wks. (1755) II. i. 227 The common fluency of speech in many men. 1849Lytton Caxtons i. v, I had learned to write with some fluency. 1852Ld. Cockburn Jeffrey I. 363 All his fluency of thought. 1878J. W. Ebsworth in Braithwait's Strappado Introd. 27 The genuine sweetness and musical fluency of his best lyrics. 3. Readiness of utterance, flow of words.
1654Evelyn Diary 31 Aug., Dr. Collins, so..celebrated for his fluency in the Latin tongue. 1814D'Israeli Quarrels Auth. (1867) 364 He indulged his satirical fluency on the scientific collectors. 1834Macaulay Pitt Ess. (1854) 293/1 The fluency and the personal advantages of the young orator. |