| 释义 |
irrelative, a. (n.)|ɪˈrɛlətɪv|
[f. ir-2 + relative. Cf. F. irrelatif (Littré).]
Not relative; without relations to each other, or to something else; unrelated, unconnected; hence, in Metaph., having no relations, absolute.
1640Bp. Reynolds Passions xl. 526 Continuance is altogether Extrinsicall and Irrelative in respect of White. 1666Boyle Orig. Formes & Qual. (1667) 28 It seems evident, that they [colours, odours, etc.] have an absolute Being irrelative to Us. 1849–52Owen in Todd's Cycl. Anat. IV. 881/2 This endless succession and decadence of the Teeth..illustrate the law of Vegetative or Irrelative Repetition. 1862F. Hall Refut. Hindu Philos. Syst. 230 The cognition which is given out as a constituent of Brahma, is irrelative to objects. 1862H. Spencer First Princ. i. iv. §26 (1875) 89 The Relative is itself conceivable as such, only by opposition to the Irrelative or Absolute.
b. Having no relation to or bearing on the matter in hand; irrelevant.
1649G. Daniel Trinarch., Hen. V, cxxxi, Lyllies Spin not! a strange Doctrine Irrelative; but lately vrg'd 'Gainst Harrie's Title. 1785Paley Mor. Philos. (ed. 21) I. 201 Questions may be asked which are irrelative to the cause. 1849Thackeray Pendennis xxi, The widow's answer was made up of a great number of incoherent ejaculations, embraces, and other irrelative matter.
c. Mus. (See quot.)
1811Busby Dict. Mus. (ed. 3), Irrelative, a term applied to any two chords which do not contain some sound common to both.
B. n. Metaph. Something that has no relation.
a1856Sir W. Hamilton (Ogilvie), This same mental necessity is involved in the general inability we find of construing positively to thought any irrelative. |