| 释义 |
mateless, a.|ˈmeɪtlɪs|
[f. mate n.2 + -less.]
1. Without a mate, partner, or companion.
1599T. M[oufet] Silkwormes 13 Shalt thou alone die matelesse, Thisbe mine? 1612Peacham Minerv. Brit. ii. 186 The Thrush a tenor; off a little space, Some mateless Dove doth murmur out the base. 1705Tate Warriour's Welc. xliv, I'll teach you then the Charm that shall..make..The Mateless Nightingal no more complain. 1837New Monthly Mag. XLIX. 23 One mateless dove is answering. 1887Bowen Virg. æneid iv. 553 Mateless and all unblamed, untutored in love and its pain!
†2. Unrivalled, matchless, unparalleled. Obs.
1570B. Googe Pop. Kingd. i. (1880) 1 Good Muse declare, my force to weake can not therto attaine Ne can disclose the mysteries, of such a matelesse raigne. 1624Quarles Sion's Elegies i. 12 Say, if e're your eyes beheld..more unparallel'd And matelesse Evills. a1644G. Sandys Virg. æneis vi. (R.), The clouds, and lightnings matelesse, To forge with brasse, and speed of horn-hooft force. |