| 释义 |
profusion|prəʊˈfjuːʒən|
[a. F. profusion (16th c., Montaigne), ad. L. profūsiōn-em, n. of action f. profundĕre to pour forth.]
1. The action of pouring forth; outpouring, effusion (of a liquid); spilling, shedding. Now rare.
1604R. Cawdrey Table Alph., Profusion, powring out wastfully. 1607Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 146 Some men in this extremity suffer most fearful dreams, profusion of seed, hoarsness of voyce. 1743tr. Heister's Surg. 26 The effects..are generally Profusions of Blood. 1822–34Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) II. 443 [Cullen] has hence been obliged to transfer the whole of these [hæmorrhages] to another part of his system..and to distinguish them by the feeble name of profusions instead of by their own proper denomination.
2. Lavish or wasteful expenditure or bestowal of money, substance, etc.; squandering, waste.
1545Joye Exp. Dan. xi. 195 b, Because of his prodigalite & profusions of giftis, he might not spare other menis goodis. a1635Naunton Fragm. Reg. (Arb.) 42 Which proved in the end a most fatall work, both in the profusion of bloud and treasure. 1752Chesterfield Lett. (1774) III. 280 Be upon your guard against this idle profusion of time. 1828D'Israeli Chas. I, II. i. 2 Charles the First has never been accused of a wanton profusion of the public wealth.
3. The fact, condition, or quality of being profuse; lavishness, wastefulness, extravagance.
1692Dryden St. Euremont's Ess. 204 Those, that take away with violence, to disperse with profusion, are much more excusable. 1709Swift Adv. Relig. Ded., The lustre of that most noble family..which the unmeasurable profusion of ancestors for many generations had too much eclipsed. 1725De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 96 They were entertained with the utmost profusion and magnificence after the Spanish manner. 1838Thirlwall Greece V. xliii. 278 The profusion..which he lavished his gold. 1876J. Parker Paracl. i. xiv. 224 You are amazed by the profusion which is characteristic of Nature; not merely a star here and there, but millions beyond all conceivable number.
4. Abundance; lavish or copious supply.
1705Addison Italy 184 To have furnish'd out so many glorious Palaces with such a Profusion of Pictures, Statues, and the like Ornaments. 1764Goldsm. Trav. 46 Ye fields, where summer spreads profusion round. 1791Mrs. Radcliffe Rom. Forest vi, Her auburn tresses fell in profusion over her bosom. 1864D. G. Mitchell Wet Days at Edgewood 80 Wheat was growing in profusion. |