| 释义 |
‖ ballon d'essai|balɔ̃ dɛsɛ|
[Fr., trial balloon.]
An experimental project or piece of policy put forward to test the feeling or attitude of a person or body of persons; a feeler.
1883Standard 24 Jan. 5 (Stanf.), The contents [of the letter] would make it appear a sort of ballon d'essai, designed to throw light on the prospects of an Orleanist Restoration in France. 1905Mrs. H. Ward Marriage W. Ashe xiii. 259 In the early morning she had sent her note to Kitty—a ballon d'essai, despatched in a horror of great fear. 1928Daily Tel. 18 Sept. 11/5 The rumours about Mlle. Lenglen's future plans have recently died down. This one may be in the nature of a ballon d'essai. 1942Mind LI. 71 A good deal of Hume's theory of belief is rather a ballon d'essai than meant altogether seriously. |