释义 |
Messalina|mɛsəˈliːnə| The name of Valeria Messalina, third wife of the Roman emperor Claudius, used allusively for a licentious and scheming woman.
1887Athenæum 8 Oct. 467/1 His heroine is a New York Messalina who fastens herself upon a villain of the worst type. 1925W. J. Locke Great Pandolfo xx. 257 I'm not either a Messalina, or one of the grandes amoureuses. 1931G. J. Renier The English iv. 85 Messalinas are exceptions. A woman needs only one partner. 1946Koestler Thieves in Night 146 Particularly Gaby, our red-haired Viennese Messalina who, having a year ago left Max for Mendl, has now left Mendl too. 1975‘J. Lymington’ Spider in Bath ii. 39 ‘Unfaithful bitch!’ he cried. ‘Messalina! Medusa! Gorgon!’ |