| 释义 |
unˈpromising, ppl. a.
[un-1 10.]
1. Not affording promise of excellence or success.
1663J. Spencer Prodigies 81 God often accomplisheth his biggest ends by means unpromiseing. 1721Lond. Gaz. No. 5999/1 The Vintage Season,..though very backward and unpromising.., has..begun. 1786tr. Beckford's Vathek 187 The Caliph, to whom these complaints were but unpromising auguries. 1827Scott Surg. Dau. i, So you will often find.., under an unpromising and blunt exterior, professional skill and enthusiasm. 1871Freeman Norm. Conq. IV. xix. 418 Hermann..began vigorously to build a church in the unpromising spot.
†2. Unprepossessing. Obs.
1632Massinger & Field Fatal Dowry iv. i, Liladam. What d'ee take me for? Pontalier. A long thing with a most vnpromising face. 1669Clarendon Ess. Tracts (1727) 101 The beauty of the mind doth frequently reconcile..all men to the most unpromising counténances.
Hence unˈpromisingness.
1655Earl of Orrery Parthen. i. ii. 135, I doe now in some sort rejoyce at the unpromisingnesse of my Condition. 1727Bailey (vol. II), Inauspiciousness, unpromisingness. |