| 释义 |
‖ marraine, n. hist.|marɛn|
[Fr., lit. ‘godmother’, f. med.L. matrina, f. L. matr- stem of mater mother.]
In the war of 1914–18, a woman who befriended a soldier at the front, giving him moral and material support, as by letters, food parcels, etc.
1916E. V. Lucas Vermilion Box xc. 104 Over here there is that wonderful institution the marraine. A marraine is literally a godmother. Her special duty is to take charge of, and be responsible for, a poilu both in action and on leave. 1941W. Fortescue Trampled Lilies v. 59 Mademoiselle suggested that Fanny should be the marraine of this orphan soldier, send him a parcel of our comforts, in her name, and, above all, write him a letter. 1991Times 18 Feb. 1/6 French women are also reportedly taking up their first world war role as marraines, or godmothers, who traditionally adopted frontline soldiers they had never met, serving as pen pals and sending them provisions. |