| 释义 |
indignity|ɪnˈdɪgnɪtɪ|
[ad. L. indignitāt-em, n. of quality f. indignus unworthy, indign; cf. F. indignité (15–16th c. in Hatz.-Darm.).]
†1. The quality or condition of being unworthy; unworthiness. In pl., Unworthy qualities; undeserving traits. Obs.
1589Nashe Anat. Absurd. Ep. Ded. 3 Let my vnschooled indignities conuert themselves to your courtesie. 1589Puttenham Eng. Poesie iii. iv. (Arb.) 159 In steade of indignitie, yee haue vnworthinesse: and for penetrate, we may say peerce. a1618Sylvester Du Bartas Corona Ded., Accept my Zeale, and pardon mine Indignitie. 1677Gale Crt. Gentiles iv. 154 To suppose that God should fetch the commun rule of his giving or not giving grace, from man's dignitie or indignitie.
†2. The quality or condition of being unbecoming, dishonourable, or disgraceful; want or loss of dignity or honour.
b. Conduct involving shame or disgrace; a disgraceful act. Obs.
1596Spenser F.Q. v. xi. 63 Fie on the pelfe for which good name is sold, And honour with indignitie debased. Ibid. vi. i. 28 ‘To take defiaunce at a Ladies word’ (Quoth he) ‘I hold it no indignity’. 1603H. Crosse Vertues Commw. (1878) 22 When he had ended his office, went againe to his olde labour without indignitie to his person, or derogating ought from his worthinesse. 1671Milton Samson 411 Foul effeminacy held me yoked Her bond-slave; oh, indignity! oh, blot To honour and religion! 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. xx, A mind too proud to stoop to such indignities.
3. Unworthy treatment; contemptuous or insolent usage; injury accompanied with insult. With an and pl.: A slight offered to a person; an act intended to expose a person to contempt; an insult or affront.
1584R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. v. vii. (1886) 83 They thinke it too great an indignitie for Christ to be made subject to Sathans illusions. 1600Hakluyt Voy. III. 440 Their contempts and indignities offered to our Countrey and Prince. 1610Shakes. Temp. iii. ii. 42 The poore Monster's my subiect, and he shall not suffer indignity. 1665Manley Grotius' Low C. Warres 177 He pretended the Indignities offer'd him by the States were the cause of his departure. 1757Smollett Reprisal ii. v, You dare not treat me with indignity. 1873Symonds Grk. Poets xi. 356 That a human body should toss, unburied, unhonoured, on the waves, seemed to them the last indignity. 1876Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. iii. xxiii, The mere association of anything like ‘indignity’ with herself, roused a resentful alarm.
†4. Anger excited by unworthy conduct or treatment; = indignation 2. Obs.
1596Spenser F.Q. iv. vii. 36 Her noble heart with sight thereof was fild With deepe disdaine, and great indignity. 1650Fuller Pisgah iv. iii. 55 God (as justly he might) took this their affront in high indignity. 1701Swift Contests Athens & Rome iii. Wks. 1778 II. 265 That great Roman received the notice with the utmost indignity. 1784R. Bage Barham Downs I. 105 My bosom glows with indignity at the remembrance. |