| 释义 |
master-stroke|ˈmɑːstəstrəʊk|
[See master n.1 26 a. Cf. G. meisterstreich.]
1. A masterly line or touch (in painting, etc.); also transf.
1679Dryden Tr. & Cr. Prol. 14 In this my rough-drawn play you shall behold Some Master-strokes. 1690in E. Waller Poems II. Pref. sig. A5, Some Painters will hit the chief Lines, and master strokes of a Face so truly, that [etc.]. 1784Cowper Task ii. 398, I would trace His master-strokes, and draw from his design. 1867Emerson May-Day 108 And in their vaunted works of Art, The master-stroke is still her part.
2. A masterly exertion of skill; a surpassingly skilful act (of cunning, diplomacy, policy, etc.); one's cleverest move or device. (Cf. F. coup de maître.)
1711W. King tr. Naude's Ref. Politics ii. 59 In these masterstrokes of state, the thunderbolt falls before the noise of it is heard. 1712Blackmore Creat. vi. 695 The..stupendous Art, And Master-strokes in each Mechanick Part. 1762–71H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1786) IV. 87 The steeple..is a master-stroke of absurdity. 1768Goldsm. Good-n. Man i. i, There's my master-stroke. I have resolved not to refuse her. 1825Cobbett Rur. Rides (1885) I. 404 This was a master-stroke on the part of France. 1849Thackeray Lett. 4 Sept., A master-stroke of diplomacy. |