| 释义 |
audacious, a.|ɔːˈdeɪʃəs|
[f. L. audāc(i-, nom. audax, bold, daring, f. audēre to dare: see -acious. Cf. F. audacieux, Cotgr. 1611.]
1. Daring, bold, confident, intrepid.
1550Nicolls Thucydides ii. cvi. 67 More bolde and audacious in this thing, wherein we have much experyence. 1698Dryden Ovid's Iphis (T.) Big was her voice, audacious was her tone:—The maid becomes a youth. 1712Steele Spect. No. 436 ⁋9 Miller had an audacious Look, that took the Eye. 1826Scott Woodst. (1832) 178 All eyes turned to the audacious speaker.
b. transferred to things.
1609B. Jonson Sil. Wom. ii. v, My Wife must be accomplished with courtly and audacious Ornaments. 1855Motley Dutch Rep. i. i. (1866) 51 The audacious and exquisitely embroidered tower of the townhouse.
2. Unrestrained by, or setting at defiance, the principles of decorum and morality; presumptuously wicked, impudent, shameless.
1591Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, iii. i. 14 Such is thy audacious wickednesse. 1612Warner Alb. Eng. i. i. 2 As he and his audacious crew, the Tower of Babel reare. 1649Milton Observ. Art. Peace Wks. 1738 I. 357 But we are told, We embrace Paganism and Judaism in the arms of Toleration. A most audacious calumny! 1722De Foe Moll Fl. (1840) 286, I grew more hardened and audacious than ever. 1825Bro. Jonathan II. 259 Like an audacious profligate, as he was.
†3. Inspiring boldness. Obs. rare.
a1625Fletcher Wom. Prize ii. v. (T.) They have got metheglin, and audacious ale, And talk like tyrants! |