| 释义 |
inadequate, a. (and n.)|ɪnˈædɪkwət|
[in-3.]
A. adj.
a. Not adequate; not equal to requirement; insufficient. Also as n.
1675Boyle Reconcileablen. Reason & Relig. i. ii, We can have but inadequate conceptions of them. 1690Locke Hum. Und. ii. xxxi. (1695) 207 Inadequate Ideas are such, which are but a partial, or incomplete representation of those Archetypes to which they are referred. 1792Anecd. W. Pitt II. xxiii. 49 There had been a bargain, but the terms were inadequate. 1824Syd. Smith Wks. (1867) II. 192 It is astonishing what unworthy and inadequate notions men are apt to form of the Christian faith. 1880C. R. Markham Peruv. Bark xix. 214 He would then..have received some, though probably very inadequate, remuneration.
b. Const. to, and with inf.
1751Johnson Rambler No. 126 ⁋6 We must conclude ourselves safe when we see no danger, or none inadequate to our powers of opposition. 1788Gibbon Decl. & F. xl. (1869) II. 476 His revenues were found inadequate to his expences. 1874Green Short Hist. vi. §5. 318 The ordinary resources of the Crown..were inadequate to meet the expenses of war.
B. As n. An inadequate person; one whose personality is in some way insufficient to meet the expectations of society.
1962Guardian 7 Nov. 8/4 How can prison help a social inadequate through his troubles? 1963T. Parker Unknown Citizen 166 The majority of them are in fact the inadequates of whom Charlie Smith is typical. 1966Listener 18 Aug. 226/1 The people that we are accustomed to call inadequates or weak characters. 1971Guardian 26 Mar. 14/1 So-called ‘inadequates’ are the victims of society which is inadequate. |