| 释义 |
proneness|ˈprəʊnnɪs|
Also 6–7 pronenes, -nesse; 7 prones, pronesse, proaness (see note s.v. -ness).
[f. prec. + -ness.]
The quality or condition of being prone.
1. Natural inclination, disposition, tendency, or propensity (to something, or to do something).
1548Elyot, Pronitas, pronenesse, inclinacion to good or euell. 1549Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Rom. Prol. *v b, Pronenes and redines vnto the dede in the ground of the herte. 1613Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 89 The pronenesse of that sexe to teares. 1626Sir S. D'Ewes Jrnl. (1783) 36 My fathers prones to..change his former purposes. 1748Anson's Voy. i. x. 101 A proneness to swoon on the least exertion of strength. 1859Smiles Self-Help xiii. (1860) 338 What is done once and again soon gives facility and proneness.
†b. Readiness of mind, willingness, eagerness.
1631Massinger Believe as You List v. ii, I..with a gentle reprehension taxde Your forwarde pronenesse. c1645Tullie Siege of Carlisle (1840) 9 Of great prudence and proneness in arms.
2. Prone position of the body. rare.
1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. iv. i. 180 Though in Serpents and Lizards we may truly allow a pronenesse,..perfect Quadrupedes, as Horses, Oxen, and Camels, are but partly prone, and have some part of erectnesse. Ibid., Birds or flying animals, are so farre from this kinde of pronenesse, that they are almost erect.
†3. Downward direction or slope; declivity. Obs.
1686Goad Celest. Bodies ii. ii. 168 The River ebbs by the Proneness of its Streams. |