| 释义 |
ultimately, adv.|ˈʌltɪmətlɪ|
[f. ultimate a. + -ly2.]
1. In the last resort; when carried to the natural or logical conclusion; fundamentally.
1660R. Coke Justice Vind. Pref. 13 If I could not ultimately resolve the Dictates of my Reason as a Christian, into plain places of Scripture. 1690Locke Hum. Und. ii. i. §2 In one word, From Experience: in that, all our Knowledge is founded; and from that it ultimately derives it self. 1743in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. I. 279 To which nevertheless their Immunities must ultimately resort. 1775Johnson Tax. no Tyr. 23 All government is ultimately and essentially absolute. 1776Gibbon Decl. & F. vi. (1782) I. 185 The young emperor, on whose personal qualities the happiness or misery of the Roman world must ultimately depend. 1835Newman Par. Serm. (1837) I. iv. 64 What will it ultimately profit a man to profess without understanding? 1866Crump Banking v. 131 Credit given to the holder of a bill by the person ultimately liable is considered equivalent to payment. 1869Mozley Univ. Serm. i. (1877) 18 Every kingdom ultimately depends on moral influence and not on physical force.
2. In the end; at the last:
a. As the conclusion or final stage of a process, course of action, etc.
1755Johnson, Finally, 1. Ultimately; lastly; in conclusion. [Quoting Milton Samson A. 1296.] 1794T. J. Mathias Purs. Lit. (1798) 306 All passions submit ultimately..to the inability of gratifying them. 1796F. Burney Camilla ix. iii, The heart-breaking event to which it had ultimately led. 1818M. W. Shelley Frankenst. iii, I doubted not that I should ultimately succeed. 1839James Louis XIV, III. 235 It became daily apparent to all parties that war must ultimately be the result. 1860Holland Miss Gilbert ii. 19 It was supposed by the gossips of the village that Dr. Gilbert would ultimately marry Aunt Catharine. 1878Lecky Eng. in 18th C. I. iii. 452 It is of the nature of a constitution so formed as ours..ultimately to work well.
b. As a point in a series, or in time.
1818Cruise Digest (ed. 2) II. 430 A feoffment was made to the use of the feoffor for his life..and ultimately to the use of himself and his heirs for ever. 1827Faraday Chem. Manip. ii. (1842) 37 It economises time to have the smaller weights arranged in order..and ultimately the large weights. 1880Trollope Duke's Children I. iii. 35 Frank's mother..would sometimes surmise..that the entire property must ultimately come to him. 1884Thompson Tumours of Bladder 33 He..suffered much for a long time; ultimately there was some improvement.
3. In a final or conclusive manner; definitely.
1785Jefferson Corr. Wks. 1859 I. 342 These questions, however, cannot be decided, ultimately, at this day. 1793― Writ. (1830) IV. 479 It had no right to dismember or alienate any portion of territory once ultimately consolidated with us. 1798S. & Ht. Lee Canterb. T. II. 206 Yet nothing but a favourable judgment from the civilians in England could ultimately relieve [his] mind. |