| 释义 |
▪ I. worth-while, n. rare.
[See while n. 3 b, and worth a. 8.]
The quality of being, or that which is, worth while.
1867Mrs. Whitney Leslie Goldthwaite ii, How did the world seem to such a person, and where was the worth-while of it? 1899Westm. Gaz. 3 Aug. 2/1 The pursuit of the worth-while.
▪ II. worth-while, a.
Also worthwhile.
[Cf. prec.]
That is worth while; of sufficient value or importance.
Common in recent use.
1884,1904[see next]. 1912World 7 May 677/1 He has..scarcely any worthwhile reversionary interests. 1927Publishers' Circular 30 Apr. 487/3 Each book is offered as a book particularly worth-while in the judgment of the Board of Editors.
Hence worth-whileness, the quality of being worth while.
1884B'ham Weekly Post 18 Oct. 5/1 The worth-whileness of forming a local portrait gallery. 1904B. von Hutten Pam 128 If something does present itself to you in the light of worth-whileness, nothing can stop you. |