| 释义 |
officiousness|əˈfɪʃəsnɪs|
[f. as prec. + -ness.]
The quality of being officious; officious conduct.
†1. Readiness in doing good offices, performing one's duty, or discharging any function; eagerness to serve or please; dutifulness; diligence. Obs.
1598Florio, Officiosità, officiousnes, seruiceablenes. 1602Warner Alb. Eng. xi. lxi. (1612) 268 His Vertues and officiousnes to her-wards so had wrought, That vnto little lesse than Loue she, by Degrees, was brought. 1676G. Towerson Decalogue 520 The bare officiousness of a lye. 1783Johnson Lett. to Mrs. Thrale 20 Nov., The interchange of that social officiousness by which we are habitually endeared to one another. 1824Miss Mitford Village Ser. i. (1863) 232 We had missed the pleasant bustling officiousness..which our good neighbour loved so well.
2. Overforwardness in proffering services or taking anything upon one as a duty; well-intentioned meddlesomeness.
1613Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 734 Of other their rootes and fruites I am loath to write, least I wearie the Reader with tedious officiousnesse. 1698Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 139 The sneaking Officiousness of the Banyans, who pressed on my Heels, and..waited like Lacquies. 1781Gibbon Decl. & F. xix. II. 152 Constantius had a right to disclaim the officiousness of his ministers, who had acted without any specific orders from the throne. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. vii. II. 179 Of all faults officiousness and indiscretion were the most offensive to him; and Burnet was allowed..to be the most officious and indiscreet of mankind. |