| 释义 |
nimbleness|ˈnɪmb(ə)lnɪs|
[f. nimble a. + -ness.]
The quality of being nimble; quickness, agility; dexterity.
1535Coverdale Isa. xxx. 12 Ye haue..conforted youre selues with power and nymblenesse. 1568Grafton Chron. II. 868 For valiaunt courage..and strength, and nymblenesse of bodie. 1581Mulcaster Positions xvi. (1887) 75 Daunsing..may be so full of nimblenesse and actiuitie. 1624Capt. Smith Virginia iii. i. 42 The Salvages by the nimblenesse of their heeles well escaped. 1676Marvell Mr. Smirke 18 As men set their Arms on their Plate, to prevent the nimbleness of such as would alter the property. 1732T. Lediard Sethos II. ix. 325 He presum'd to depend on..the nimbleness of his horse. 1776Hunter in Phil. Trans. LXVI. 422 This operation should be performed with all possible nimbleness. 1837Carlyle Fr. Rev. I. vii. vii, To retreat with accelerated nimbleness, through rank after rank. 1861Sat. Rev. 20 July 63 Nimbleness in playing polkas or dancing them.
b. Of mind.
1561T. Norton Calvin's Inst. i. 51 The nimblenesse of the minde of man which veweth the heauen and earth. 1597Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. lvi, The personall wisedome of God is..sayd to excell in nimblenesse or agilitie. 1602W. Fulbecke Pandects 47 Men must not onely fight by warlike instruments, but by nimblenes of witte. a1652J. Smith Sel. Disc. v. 147 The nimbleness and agility of our own reason. 1711C. M. Lett. to Curat 50 With an Inimitable nimbleness he makes an Argument of him. 1839Ld. Brougham Statesmen Geo. III, Ser. i. (ed. 2) 248 Nimbleness of mind and industry of application. 1889Spectator 9 Nov., It increases nimbleness of mind, develops curiosity. |