| 释义 |
semicolon|sɛmɪˈkəʊlən|
[f. semi- + colon2.]
A punctuation-mark consisting of a dot placed above a comma (;): see quots.
In present use it is the chief stop intermediate in value between the comma and the full stop; usually separating sentences the latter of which limits the former, or marking off a series of sentences or clauses of co-ordinate value.
1644Hodges Eng. Primrose N 3, At a comma, stop a little..At a semi-colon, somewhat more. 1692B. Jonson's Eng. Gram. Wks. 690 A Semicolon is a distinction of an imperfect Sentence, wherein with somewhat a longer Breath, the Sentence following is included. 1771Luckombe Hist. Printing 267 The semicolon is a point of great use to enforce and illustrate what has been advanced, and digested by the Comma... The Semicolon is used as an Abbreviation, in the word Esquire. 1800L. Murray Eng. Gram. 227 The semi⁓colon is sometimes used, when the preceding member of the sentence does not of itself give a complete sense, but depends on the following clause..and sometimes when the sense of that member would be complete without the concluding one. |