| 释义 |
▪ I. ˈmatch-making, vbl. n.1
[f. match n.1]
1. The action or practice of scheming or contriving to bring about a marriage.
1821Miss Mitford in L'Estrange Life II. vi. 125 Mrs. Dickinson has had great success in match-making lately. 1858R. S. Surtees Ask Mamma ix. 31 As well try to restrain a cat from mousing as a woman from match-making. 1887Poor Nellie (1888) 82 Perfect matchmaking requires experience and practice.
attrib.1823‘Jon Bee’ Slang s.v., Jew-King opened a match-making office in Old Bond-street, about 1797. 1881H. James Portr. Lady xlix, There were people who had the matchmaking passion.
2. Racing. The action of arranging a match.
1812Sporting Mag. XL. 282 Within fourteen days from the match-making he was backed to win.
▪ II. ˈmatch-making, vbl. n.2
[f. match n.2]
The process or trade of making lucifer matches.
1875Knight Dict. Mech. 1410/1 Match-making Machine. 1892Pall Mall G. 16 May 7/1 Match-making has been the most successful of all the industries instituted in Japan in imitation of those existing abroad. 1898Cath. Bk. Notes June 171 The recent shocking revelations with regard to the match-making and lead-glazing trades.
▪ III. ˈmatch-making, ppl. a.
[f. match n.1]
Given to attempts to bring about marriages.
1700Congreve Way of World iii. xviii, Foible's a bawd, an arrant, rank, matchmaking bawd. 1886Ruskin Præterita I. v. 167 The entirely best-matched pair I have yet seen in this match-making world and dispensation. |