| 释义 |
self-preserˈvation
[self- 1 a.]
The preservation of one's existence; esp. applied to the natural law or instinct which impels living creatures to take measures to prolong life and avoid injury.
a1614Donne βιαθανατος (1644) A A, It is onely upon this reason, that selfe-preservation is of Naturall Law. 1671Milton Samson 505 If the punishment Thou canst avoid, self⁓preservation bids. 1681Dryden Span. Friar iv. ii, Self⁓preservation is the first of laws. 1776Gibbon Decl. & F. ii. I. 40 Against such internal enemies..the most severe regulations, and the most cruel treatment, seemed almost justified by the great law of self-preservation. 1875Gladstone Glean. (1879) III. 172 Both the instinct of self-preservation and the laws of duty combine in prompting them to put off the evil day.
So self-preˈservative, self-preˈservatory adjs., self-preˈserving ppl. a.; † self-preˈservingly adv., so as to save oneself trouble.
1839Times 29 July 4/2 Every creature has its *self-preservative instinct. 1871R. H. Hutton Ess. iii. (1877) I. 45 The self-preservative correspondence between internal and external changes.
1885H. O. Forbes Natur. Wand. iii. viii. 254 My rower righted it by a *self-preservatory act.
1669Hopkins Serm. 1 Pet. 13, 14 (1685) 34 Upon..*self-preserving Principles, Submission may sometimes be yielded to the lawful Commands of an unlawful..Power. 1735Somerville Chace ii. 503 Others, whom Fear Inspires with self-preserving Wiles. 1837Carlyle Fr. Rev. III. ii. v, A traitorous self-preserving Court.
1654Gayton Pleas. Notes iii. viii. 123 It was..more *selfe-preservingly done to leave him to the Sarcasmes of his Book, then by a shoulder-experience to have learn'd how to write a literall invective against him. |