| 释义 |
ˈhigh-toned, a.
[f. high tone + -ed2.]
1. High in pitch (vocal or musical).
1779–81Johnson L.P., Swift Wks. III. 405 His voice was sharp and high-toned rather than harmonious.
2. High-strung, tense.
1804A. Seward Mem. Darwin 49 His high-toned expectations. 1814T. Jefferson Writ. (1830) IV. 236 His temper was naturally irritable and high-toned.
3. a. Having a high moral tone; high-principled; expressing lofty sentiments; having dignified or superior manners. Also, stylish, pretentious. Also absol. Cf. high-tone (high a. 22 a).
1807in Western Pennsylvania Hist. Mag. (1947) Mar.–June 56 The same editor also states that there were ‘no Demo-Republicans in it, all high-toned gentlemen’. 1814Scott Ld. of Isles ii. viii, In whose high-toned impartial mind Degrees of mortal rank and state Seem objects of indifferent weight. 1829Virginia Herald (Fredericksburg) 28 May 2/3 He might be President if he liked; but this high-toned eulogy, he thought highly objectionable. 1854Geo. Eliot in Westm. Rev. Oct. 453 That blending of the high-toned chivalry of Spain with the caustic wit and refined irony of Italy. 1856Emerson Eng. Traits, Univ. Wks. (Bohn) II. 92 It is contended..that the public sentiment within each of those schools is high-toned and manly. 1866Washoe (Nevada) Eastern Slope 11 Aug. 2/2 It is [necessary] when the high toned meet..for the purpose of cutting off debate, that they should be ready to raise the previous question at any moment. 1876‘Mark Twain’ Tom Sawyer xxxvi. 272 A robber is more high-toned than what a pirate is..as a general thing. 1886Swinburne in 19th Cent. Jan. 150 The rough and ready hand of Rowley may be traced, not indeed in the more high-toned passages, but in many of the most animated scenes of The Spanish Gipsy. 1888A. C. Gunter Mr. Potter iv. xxiii. 278 The Democratic Party thought Sampson Potter a more high-toned name to run for Congress than Sammy Potts. 1912Beerbohm Christmas Garland p. v, Tripping off the pens of all higher-toned reviewers. 1956Auden Old Man's Road, The smart crescent of a high-toned suburb. 1966Listener 22 Sept. 426/1 The girls whose vicissitudes after graduating from a high-toned American college supply the film's story line.
b. U.S. colloq. Excellent, tasteful, of superior quality. |