释义 |
whipster|ˈhwɪpstə(r)| [app. f. whip v. + -ster. Cf. prec. and whipping ppl. a. 1.] 1. A vague term of reproach, contempt, or the like, with various shades of meaning. a. A lively, smart, reckless, violent, or mischievous person. Obs. or dial.
1589R. Harvey Pl. Perc. 3 They had neede be large long Spoons..if I come to feed with such whipsters. 1593G. Harvey Pierce's Super. Wks. (Grosart) II. 63 You that intende to be fine companionable gentlemen, smirkinge wittes, and whipsters in the world. 1683Kennett tr. Erasm. on Folly 18 Cupid feigned as a boy,..because he is an underwitted whipster [orig. nugator], that neither acts nor thinks any thing with discretion. a1700B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Whipster, a sharp, or subtil Fellow. 1822W. Irving Braceb. Hall (1845) 223 The whipsters roam in truant bands about the neighbourhood. 1906Sinton Poetry of Badenoch 432 Like a whipster from school. b. A wanton, lascivious, or licentious person, a debauchee. Obs. or dial.
1593Passionate Morrice (1876) 81, I should quite fray away many of M. Anthonies companions from bestowing their affections on so liberall whipsters. 1667Dryden & Dk. Newcastle Sir M. Mar-all iv. i, There were Whipsters abroad, i' faith, Padders of Maiden-heads. 1697Vanbrugh Prov. Wife v. iii, To deliver up her fair Body, to be tumbled and mumbled, by that young Liquorish Whipster. [1898R. Blakeborough Wit, etc. N. Riding Yorkshire Gloss., Whipster, a doubtful character.] c. A slight, insignificant, or contemptible person. (The current literary sense, often with the epithet puny, after Shakes.)
1604Shakes. Oth. v. ii. 244, I am not valiant neither: But euery Punie whipster gets my Sword. 1682D'Urfey Inj. Princ. iv. iv, A plaguy little Whipster this. 1708Rowe Royal Convert Prol., Each puny Whipster here, is Wit enough. 1838Dickens Nich. Nick. xxxiv, When I first saw this whipster. 1840Thackeray Paris Sk.-bk. (1869) 42 Every little whipster of a French poet. 1882Stevenson Across the Plains iii. (1892) 141 No tearful whipster. 2. One who wields a whip: a. a driver of horses; b. one addicted to whipping or flogging, a scourger, lasher (also fig.). ? Obs.
1651Cleveland News from Newc. 29 He'd leave the trotting Whipster, and prefer Our profound Vulcan 'bove that Wagoner. 1670Comenius Janua Ling. §504. 132 A school master should take care of being curst (a whipster). 1707J. Stevens tr. Quevedo's Com. Wks. (1709) R 2, The Whipsters..laid aside their Disciplines. 1825Lamb Ass Wks. 1903 I. 304 To see one of those refiners in discipline himself at the cart's tail, with just such a convenient spot laid bare to the tender mercies of the whipster. |