| 释义 |
ˈmaster-ˈmind, n.
[master n.1 24, 26 b.]
a. An outstanding or commanding mind or intellect; a person with such a mind. Also transf.
1720Pope Iliad xviii. 557 There shone the image of the master-mind. 1821Hazlitt Table-Talk I. ix. 198 He shews the marks of a great moving intellect, so that we trace the master-mind, and can sympathise with the springs that urge him on. 1839Poe William Wilson in Gift 1840 (Philadelphia) 235 The despotism of a master mind in boyhood over the less energetic spirits of its companions. 1841― Colloquy Monos & Una in Graham's Mag. Aug. 52/2 At long intervals some master-minds appeared, looking upon each advance in practical science as a retro-gradation in the true utility. 1857Dickens Dorrit ii. xxiv. 529 The master-mind of the age..became mute again. 1909Wodehouse Mike xxxii. 183 You can't expect two master-minds like us to pig it in that room downstairs. 1930H. G. Wells Autocracy of Mr. Parham iii. viii. 220 This immediate personal recognition of the new régime by the master mind of Britain. 1949E. Jenkins Six Criminal Women 11 Hers was one of the earliest master-minds in advertising. 1961Observer 19 Feb. 5/4 An electronic master-mind called the ‘Honeywell Data Centre’.
b. spec. Such a mind, or a person, directing a criminal enterprise.
1872Trollope Eustace Diamonds (1873) III. lxix. 203 The police thought that I had been the master-mind among the thieves. 1913‘D. D. Carter’ in Hearst's Mag. July 137 (title) The master mind. 1920‘Sapper’ Bull-Dog Drum. v. 121 A gang of international criminals..controlled by a master-mind. 1936E. Ambler Dark Frontier v. 80 From now on, he, Carruthers, would be the master mind. 1959[see crime-writing s.v. crime n. 4]. 1960Observer 24 Jan. 5/2 These were recognised prop-men or putters up of jobs, what the mugs called master minds.
Hence ˈmaster-ˌmind v. trans., to be the master-mind behind (an enterprise, a crime, etc.); to plan and direct; also occas. intr.; so ˈmaster-ˌminding vbl. n. and ppl. a.
1941Time 26 May 24/2 The Telegram hired a series of detective storytellers to mastermind the Hess case. 1941True Detective June 18/3 Often suspected but never convicted of masterminding some of the plots hatched in his grog shop. 1945Sun (Baltimore) 30 Nov. 8 Baseball owes him nothing much but an opportunity to retire from the strenuous side of the competition and take over the job of master-minding. 1949R. Chandler Little Sister xxi. 151 Somebody had to master-mind this deal. 1956W. H. Whyte Organization Man (1957) vi. 75 What they mean by sales is..master-minding the work of those who do the helping. 1957‘B. Buckingham’ Boiled Alive xxxiii. 249 She master minded it all right, but..Pepe is not without blame. 1973Guardian 29 June 15/7 A ruthless master-minding conspirator. Ibid. 15/8 It was possible he was..capable of master-minding a vast conspiracy. 1973A. Hunter Gently French viii. 74 Quarles has master-minded for several of the gangs. 1974D. Ramsay No Cause to Kill ii. 132 Hy Goldman..was..sceptical of her master-minding potential. |