| 释义 |
hirple, v. Chiefly Sc. and north. dial.|ˈhɜːp(ə)l|
[Origin unknown. (Its coincidence in sound and sense with Gr. ἕρπ-ειν is noticeable.)]
intr. To move with a gait between walking and crawling; to walk lamely, to drag a limb, to hobble. In early use said of the hare.
c1450Henryson Mor. Fab. 32 The hard-back Hurtchen, and the hirpland Hair. a1605Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae (2nd version) 30 in Poems (1887) 286, I saw the hurcheon and the hare In hidlings hirpling heir and thair. 1768Ross Helenore 44 (Jam.) To Colin's house..He, tired and weary, hirpled down the brae. 1781J. Hutton Tour to Caves Gloss., Hirple, to limp in walking. 1821Clare Vill. Minstr. II. 117 Hirpling round from time to time. 1821Scott Pirate vii, Neil Ronaldson, that canna walk a mile to hear the minister, but he will hirple ten if he hears of a ship embayed. 1866J. Payn Mirk Abbey II. 96 An old man and his wife..came hirpling out.
fig.1792Burns On Birth Posth. Child ii, November hirples o'er the lea Chill on thy lovely form. 1893Crockett Stickit Minister 17 It [the speech] ran or rather hirpled somewhat as follows.
Hence hirpling ppl. a.; hirple n., a crawling or limping gait.
1821Scott Pirate xxxii, They will be waiting for him, hirpling, useless body. 1821–30Ld. Cockburn Mem. ii (1856) 119 With a slow stealthy step—something between a walk and a hirple. 1830Galt Lawrie T. vii. i. (1849) 363 Whose gallop was never better than a hirple. |