| 释义 |
Heteroscian, n. and a.|hɛtəˈrɒʃɪən|
[f. med.L. heterosci-us (usually in nom. pl. used subst.), a. Gr. ἑτερόσκιος diversely-shadowed (f. ἑτερο- hetero- + σκιά shadow) + -an.]
A. n. A name applied to the people of the two temperate zones in reference to the fact that, in the two zones, noon-shadows always fall in opposite directions. (Cf. Amphiscian, Periscian.) Usually in pl.; the Lat. pl. heteroscii is also frequent.
‘Heteroscii, in strictness, and according to the origin and reason of the word, is a term of relation, and denotes those inhabitants which, during the whole year, have their noon-tide shadows projected different ways from each other. Thus, we..are heteroscii with regard to those who inhabit the southern temperate zone: and they are heteroscii with respect to us.’ (Chambers Cycl.)[1559W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 68 Of the diversitie of shadowes, ther ar .iij. divers distinct habitations of people found,..Amphiscii, Heteroscii, Periscii, and we want apt English termes for them.] 1616Bullokar Eng. Expos., Heteroscians, any people dwelling vnder a temperate zone: so called because their shadowes at noone bend still but one way. 1652Urquhart Jewel Wks. (1834) 259 Which to withhold from them, whether Periscians, Hetroscians, or Amphiscians, would prove very absurd. [1796Hutton Math. Dict. I. 596 Heteroscii, in Geography, are such inhabitants of the earth as have their shadows at noon projected always the same way with regard to themselves, or always contrary ways with respect to each other.] B. adj. Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of noon-shadows in the temperate zones.
a1646J. Gregory Posthuma, Terrest. Globe (1650) 300 Of Oxford the Sign-Regent is Capricorn, the Noon-shadows are Heteroscian. |