| 释义 |
gratify, v.|ˈgrætɪfaɪ|
[ad. F. gratifier (16th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), or L. grātificārī, f. grātus pleasing, thankful: see -fy.]
†1. trans. To show gratitude to (a person) in return for benefits received, esp. in a practical manner; to reward, requite. Obs.
c1540tr. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. viii. (Camden) I. 291 Edwarde was verie desierus to seeme to gratifie the duke for his owlde hospitalitie and interteinement. 1570Satir. Poems Reform. x. 410 To quhome..he schew his greit clemence, Thocht thou with tressoun hes him gratifeit. 1578T. N. tr. Conq. W. India 30 Al we of this navie wil gratifie your gentlenesse and good service that ye shal do unto us. 1607Shakes. Cor. ii. ii. 44 It remaines..To gratifie his Noble seruice. 1655Stanley Hist. Philos. iii. (1701) 123/1 To Dionysius he imparted some Dialogues and was gratified by him, with whom he lived untill he was deposed.
†b. To give thanks to, be grateful to. Obs.
1599B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. iv. iii, In behalf of the males, I gratifie you. a1646J. Gregory Assyrian Mon. in Posth. (1650) 193 So far Diodorus: whom after ages may for ever gratifie for this pretious monument of Antiquitie.
2. To make a present (usually of money) or give a gratuity to, esp. as a reward or recompense, or as a bribe; to remunerate; to fee. † Also, to reward (an action, services, etc.). Now arch. and with a mixture of sense 4.
1590Greene Neuer too late (1600) 22 Francesco..gaue her all the money in his purse, so that she returned so highly gratified [etc.]. 1596Shakes. Merch. V. iv. i. 406 Anthonio, gratifie this gentleman. 1613Wither Abuses Stript. i. vi. in Juvenilia (1633) 47 The Messenger he richly gratifies. 1639Fuller Holy War v. xxvii. (1647) 276 They must pay the Guardian both for their victuals and for their welcome, and gratifie his good words and looks. 1672Merch. Adv. Newc. (Surtees) 216 To gratifie his servant with 40s. for secureing the same. 1679Boston Rec. (1881) VII. 127 Voted that the Select men gratifie the scauengers for cleereinge the streetes. 1763Smollett Hist. Eng. (1800) III. 278 The services done by the colonies in North America during the war were gratified with the sum of {pstlg}122,246. 1855Macaulay Hist. Eng. xxi. IV. 552 The only answer which they had been able to extract from Cook was that there were some great persons whom it was necessary to gratify. 1856Olmsted Slave States 252 Those engaged in almost all employments superior to that of field-hands in the Southern States, are, nearly always, ‘gratified’ with some sort of wages. 1883C. J. Wills Mod. Persia 76 We left the tomb, after having gratified the two Jews.
†3. To express pleasure at (an event); to give a welcome to (a person). Obs.
1548Hall Chron., Henry VII an. 15 (1550) 51 b, While the kyng laye thus at Caleys the archeduke Philip sent to him diuerse notable personages..to gratefye and welcome hym into those partes. 1553Brende Q. Curtius iv. 32 Caryeng unto him a crowne of golde, in gratifieng y⊇ victory he had won. 1588Greene Pandosto (1607) 51 The Courtiers and Knights appointed Iustes and Turneyes, to signifie their willing mindes in gratifying the Kings hap. 1612Skelton Quix. iii. x. I. 208, I do with all my Heart gratifie the Signs of Affection and Courtesy which you have used towards me.
4. To give pleasure or satisfaction to; to please, satisfy, oblige; to do a favour to.
1568Grafton Chron. II. 47 The Bishops and Priestes..were contented yet to ayde him with money. For the which thing, he being desyrous to gratefie them againe, caused it to be ordeyned and enacted [that]. 1574J. Studley tr. Bale's Pageant Popes 99 b, The Soldan..deuised howe to gratifye the Pope and to slay his ennemye. 1595Locrine ii. iii. 151 If you mean to gratify such poor men as we be, you must build our houses by the tavern. 1651Hobbes Leviath. iii. xli. 264 Pilate himself (to gratifie the Jews) delivered him to be crucified. 1662Bk. Com. Prayer Pref., Not to gratifie this or that party. 1775Burke Corr. (1844) II. 32 Since you are gratified by hearing of us. 1830D'Israeli Chas. I, III. vi. 85 The King was always highly gratified by a present of a painting from his ambassadors. 1831Brewster Newton (1855) II. xv. 73 Varignon was much gratified at having brought about this reconciliation.
†b. intr. for refl. To rejoice. Obs.
1811Ora & Juliet II. 157 It is to be hoped..you will not retreat again from the world, to gratify on the mischief you have increased in my poor heart.
5. To please by compliance; to give free course to; to humour, indulge, satisfy (a desire, feeling, etc.); † to comply with (a request, a command), to concede (an objection).
1662Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. ii. i. §6 Suppose we at present, to gratifie so far the objection, that these Laws were brought..under Moses his name. 1665Boyle Occas. Refl. iv. xix. (1848) 281 'Tis not the Body, but the unruly Fancy, that is Gratify'd. 1703Rowe Fair Penit. iii. i. 769 Has not your Daughter giv'n her self to Altamont To gratifie a Father's stern Command? 1711Steele Spect. No. 260 ⁋1 My Appetites are increased upon me with the Loss of Power to gratify them. 1729Butler Serm. Wks. 1874 II. 13 Mankind have ungoverned passions which they will gratify at any rate. 1798Ferriar Illustr. Sterne ii. 47 The book is not sufficiently entertaining to gratify much expectation. 1855Prescott Philip II, I. ii. viii. 238 His vanity was gratified by the homage..paid him.
†6. To render pleasing or acceptable; to grace.
1577Kendall Flowers of Epigr. 65 b, With sweet perfumes and flowers, my graue doe you not gratifie. 1588Shakes. L.L.L. iv. ii. 161 If..it shall please you to gratifie the table with a Grace. a1672Wren in Gutch Coll. Cur. (1781) I. 243 The King (though highly gratified both with courage and understanding). 1698Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 19 All things..strive to gratify the Life of Man.
Hence ˈgratifying vbl. n.
1555Eden Decades To Rdr. (Arb.) 49 The gratifyinge of vniuersal mankind. 1591Percivall Sp. Dict., Gratificacion, gratifying. 1611Cotgr., Gratification, a gratification or gratifying. |