| 释义 |
light-fingered, a.
Having light and nimble fingers. a. gen. b. Having fingers quick and dexterous at pilfering; thievish, dishonest. †c. Prompt in giving or returning a blow; pugnacious. Obs.
a.1804Edin. Rev. V. 152 The..solemn gravity of the premier affords a fine contrast to the light-fingered agility of his brother. 1890Century Dict., Light-fingered, light in touch with the fingers, as in playing the piano.
b.1547Boorde Introd. Knowl. xxxviii. (1870) 217 They be lyght fyngerd and vse pyking. 1579–80North Plutarch, Aristides (1595) 351 Themistocles..was a wise man..but yet somewhat light fingered. 1624Gataker Transubst. 148 Some light-fingered person having pickt his purse. 1699W. Dampier Voy. II. i. 14 Our men contented themselves with looking after their goods (the Tonquinese being very light-finger'd). 1758Johnson Idler No. 26 ⁋11 Sharp girls were apt to be light-fingered. 1823Scott Let. 18 June in Lockhart, The light-fingered gentry melt plate so soon as it comes into their possession. 1860Thackeray Round. Papers, Round Christm. tree 105 The light-fingered gentry pick pockets furiously in the darkness.
c.1581Lambarde Eiren. ii. vii. (1588) 220 Youth..whether brawling, quarrelous, lightfingred or bloudie-handed. 1589R. Harvey Pl. Perc. (1860) 3 Light-fingred Younkers, which make euery word a blow. 1607Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 370 Angry men are light-fingered and apt to strike.
Hence lightˈfingeredness.
1881Nation (N.Y.) XXXIII. 358/1 The general persuasion of their [sc. Gipsies'] propensity to light-fingeredness. |