| 释义 |
▪ I. unˈgainly, a.
[un-1 7. Cf. Norw. dial. ugjegnleg vexatious, obstinate.]
1. Awkward, clumsy, ungraceful.
1611Cotgr., Saugrenu, vntoward, vngainely, ill-fauoured. a1700B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Blunderbuss, a Dunce, an unganely Fellow. 1709Steele Tatler No. 193 ⁋3 Persons..so very aukward and ungainly, that it is impossible to believe the Audience will bear them. 1752Mrs. Delany in Life & Corr. (1861) III. 79 Her person is fine, her arms a little ungainly, and her voice disagreeable. 1814Scott Wav. xxix, At length the tall ungainly figure and ungracious visage of Ebenezer presented themselves. 1878E. Jenkins Haverholme 44 A man..with a slow delivery, ungainly gestures, an affected manner and accent.
†2. Unsuitable, improper. Obs.—1
a1660Hammond Serm. (1664) xiii. 217 Their Misusing of their knowledge to ungainly ends, as either ambition, superstition [etc.].
▪ II. unˈgainly, adv.
[Cf. prec. and ungain a.]
†1. Threateningly, terribly. Obs.—1
a1200St. Marher. 9 He..ȝeonede mid his wide geneow uppon hire ungeinliche.
†2. Improperly, unduly; unsuitably. Obs.
c1400Destr. Troy 9333 Oure godys, oure gold [are] vngaynly dispendit. c1460Towneley Myst. xvi. 160 Thus shuld ye not thrett vs, vngaynly to bete vs. 1548Elyot, Incommodé,..vngaynely,..vnhansomely, vneasyly.
3. In an ungainly manner; awkwardly, clumsily, ungracefully.
a1661Fuller Worthies, Cambridge. i. (1662) 150 A Camel passeth in the Latine proverb, either for gibbous and distorted, or for one that undertaketh a thing awkely or ungeenly. 1705Vanburgh Confed. i. iii, Why dost thou stare, and look so ungainly; Don't I speak to be understood? 1854A. E. Baker Northampt. Gloss., Skrauming, spreading widely, stretching out the arms ungainly. 1896Westm. Gaz. 9 May 2/1 Mr. Record-Breaker..waddles ungainly by, and is lost in the crowd. |