| 释义 |
oppressive, a.|əˈprɛsɪv|
[ad. med.L. oppressīv-us, f. ppl. stem of opprimĕre to oppress: see -ive. Cf. F. oppressif, -ive (1480 in Godef. Compl.).]
1. Of the nature of oppression or tyrannous treatment of subjects, inferiors, etc.; unjustly burdensome, harsh, or merciless; tyrannical.
1627–77Feltham Resolves ii. lxii. 290 Those sins, that grate, and scratch, and gall,..Plunders, Perjuries, and oppressiue Murthers. 1729Butler Serm. Self-deceit Wks. 1874 II. 125 An hard and oppressive course of behaviour..is most certainly immoral and vicious. 1861Wright Ess. Archæol. I. v. 73 One of the great vices of the Roman rule was the oppressive taxation of the provinces.
2. Characterized by oppressing, disposed to oppress, tyrannical. Also with of.
1712Berkeley Pass. Obed. §41 Calamities and devastations which oppressive governments bring on the world. 1738Wesley Ps. i. i, The Persecutor's Guilt to share Oppressive in the Scorner's Chair. 1845S. Austin Ranke's Hist. Ref. III. 637 In the Danish cities..there were civic bodies impatient of the yoke of an oppressive aristocracy. 1972Times 10 Mar. 9/1 The art world is so international today that it is not oppressive of a world-renowned art dealer living in France to have an action against him tried in England.
3. Having the quality of oppressing or weighing heavily on the mind, spirits, or senses; burdensome, depressing; overpowering, overwhelming.
1712Steele Spect. No. 429 ⁋12 By reason of his luxuriant Health he is oppressive to Persons of composed Behaviour. 1796H. Hunter tr. St.-Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) III. 113 The maladies of the mind, so oppressive in a state of solitude. 1835Lytton Rienzi vi. ii, It was a bright, oppressive, sultry morning. 1858Dickens Lett. (1880) II. 55 My cold has been oppressive. 1880Ouida Moths II. 160 Paris became very oppressive to her. |