| 释义 |
ˈworldly-ˈwise, a.
(stress variable)
Wise in a worldly manner or in worldly affairs; transf. of actions or conduct. Also absol.
c140026 Pol. Poems i. 45 Worldly wys is gostly nys. c1415Crowned King 85 Þou most be worldly wys & ware þe be-tymes. 1540Coverdale Fruitf. Less. To Rdr. (1593) ⁋3 b, This is peraduenture laughed to scorne of the vnexpert, proud, worldly wise. 1562Pilkington Expos. Abdyas Ee ij, These Edomites..picked oute..the worldly wisest men, thei coulde finde to be their rulers. 1667[see prec.]. 1753–4Richardson Grandison II. xiii. 97 It was now, in the worldly-wise way of thinking, become his interest to keep up the distance..between them. 1851Mrs. Browning Casa Guidi Wind. i. 485 The friars with worldly-wise Keen sidelong glances. 1865Kingsley Herew. iv, The lads..imposed on by the cynical and worldly-wise tone which their..uncle had assumed.
b. worldly wiseman (cf. wise man): a worldly-wise man; now only with allusion to the character so named in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. So † worldly wiseling [-ling].
1591Lodge Catharos (Hunter. Club) 22 Oh worldy wiseman, you are still entring into the marrow of matters. 1620Donne Serm., Ps. cxliv. 15 (1640) 749 Not onely a worldly wiseman, but a Christian wiseman may reach out both hands, to both kinds of blessings,..spirituall and temporall. 1681H. More Exp. Dan. Pref. 30 The worldly Wiselings who for coarse carnal ends decry all pretence to the understanding of Prophecies. 1821Blackw. Mag. VIII. 434 There worldly wisemen sold the damaged beast. |