| 释义 |
muchness|ˈmʌtʃnɪs|
Also 4 mochenesse, 5 -nes.
[f. much a. + -ness: cf. mickleness.]
†1. Large size or bulk; bigness; also, size, magnitude (large or small). Obs.
1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. v. xli. (1495) 158 Yf the mylte is somdeale more drawynge to litylnesse thanne to mochenesse it is a sygne and token of good complexyon. 1496Fysshynge w. Angle (1883) 30 The gogen is a good fisshe of the mocheness. 1572J. Jones Bathes of Bath ii. 17 By reason of the smalnesse or muchnesse of the same. 1631R. Bolton Comf. Affl. Consc. (1635) 296 It is not so much the muchness and measure of our sorrow, as the truth and heartinesse which fits us for the promises and comforts of mercy.
2. Greatness in quantity, number, or degree.
a1400Hylton Scala Perf. (W. de W. 1494) ii. xxxiv, The endles mochenes of the loue of god. 1559Mirr. Mag., Jas. I, xviii, Attaste no poyson..beware eke of to much, All kil through muchnes, sum with only touche. 1669Pepys Diary 27 Mar., To bed, my head a little troubled with the muchness of the business I have upon me at present. 1744T. Eayre in Mem. W. Stukeley (Surtees) I. 368 [I] do fear the muchness of the worke will prevent it. 1863Hawthorne Our Old Home (1883) I. 66 She imposes awe and respect by the muchness of her personality. 1887James in Mind No. 45. 15 We have relations of muchness and littleness between times,..as well as spaces.
b. An instance of this.
1674N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. 21 After the nice brattling out of reality, into muchnesses and littlenesses, there falls to the share of this, as little as may be. a1680Charnock Attrib. God (1834) II. 677 He will have a muchness of mercy for those that are prepared..by faith and repentance. 1893J. Moyes in Dublin Rev. Apr. 246 A muchness of going and coming between Rome and this country.
3. much of a muchness: much of the same importance or value; very much the same or alike. colloq.
1728Vanbr. & Cib. Prov. Husb. i. i, Man. I hope..you and your good woman agree still? I. Moody. Ay, ay; much of a muchness. 1845De Quincey Goldsmith Wks. 1857 VI. 217 Compare Addison's age..with Goldsmith's..the two ages will be found to offer ‘much of a muchness’. 1893K. Simpson Yorks. Stories 255 Gifts seem to me much of a muchness. They are apt to create a sense of obligation. |