| 释义 |
▪ I. retrenchment1|rɪˈtrɛnʃmənt|
[a. F. retrenchement, obs. variant of retranchement: see retrench v.1 and -ment.]
1. The act of cutting down, off, or out; curtailment, limitation, reduction.
c1600Sir F. Vere Cæsar's Comm. 47 By a retrenchment of the condition I was to hold in this journey. 1654tr. Scudery's Curia Pol. 151 If I should deprive her of the Crown without the retrenchment of her head. 1692Dryden St. Euremont's Ess. 12 It was not a retrenchment of super⁓fluities, or a voluntary abstinence from things agreeable. 1713Guardian No. 149 The men have contented themselves with the retrenchment of the hat, or the various scallop of the pocket. 1765Museum Rust. IV. 20 These retrenchments, made in the proper time, are likely to strengthen..both fruit and branch. 1827H. Steuart Planter's G. (1828) 443 Such retrenchment, however, must always be modified, by the actual wants of the Trees.
b. The act of excising, deleting, or omitting; an instance of this.
a1691Boyle Wks. (1772) VI. 716, I rather wish than expect that you should give yourself the trouble, by transpositions of some, and retrenchments in others, to link them into a coherent discourse. 1768–74Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 423 Additions have been made every now and then to our [divine] offices, but never any retrenchments. 1820Scott Abbot Introd. Ep., I admit that my retrenchments have been numerous, and leave gaps in the story. 1867Morn. Star 17 Sept. 3 Besides this one retrenchment of the text, the changes made are very trifling.
2. The act of economizing or cutting down expenditure; a cast of this.
1667Pepys Diary 9 Aug., We did talk of many retrenchments of charge of the Navy which he will put in practice. 1675Marvell Corr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 433, I have made a considerable retrenchment upon my expences in candles and charcoal. a1731Atterbury (J.), I would rather be an advocate for the retrenchment, than the encrease of this charity. 1792J. Almon Anecd. of W. Pitt I. xx. 332 Amongst Pitt's other retrenchments were his coach horses, which were sold by public advertisement. 1834H. Martineau Moral iv. 137 The cry for retrenchment is a righteous cry; but all power of retrenchment does not lie with the Government. 1868Helps Realmah iii, Reform has gone too far in the way of retrenchment. 1899Daily News 19 April 5/1 There are two things which bring about a desire for national retrenchment—new taxation and bad trade.
▪ II. retrenchment2 Mil.|rɪˈtrɛnʃmənt|
[f. as prec.]
A work, generally consisting of a trench and parapet, constructed for the defence of a position; esp. an inner line of defence within a large work. Also fig. and transf.
1589P. Ive Fortification 25 At which may a retrenchment bee made when need requireth, and the same well flanked. 1642Rogers Naaman 101 In the defence of a City..there be some out-workes, halfe-moones and retrenchments to hold the enemy at larger distance. 1683Lond. Gaz. No. 1856/6 We have made in the middle of the Ravelin a good Retrenchment with a good Ditch. 1709Swift & Addison Tatler No. 32 ⁋7 The Enemy lay encamped behind a strong Retrenchment. 1739E. Carter tr. Algarotti on Newton's The. (1742) II. 211 Des Cartes..is attacked in his very last Retrenchments. 1828J. M. Spearman Brit. Gunner (ed. 2) 209 To permit the ditch of the réduit to be defended from the rear of the retrenchment. 1879Encycl. Brit. IX. 447/1 In bastions strengthened by a cavalier retrenchment, a coupure is formed perpendicularly across the faces of the bastion. |