| 释义 |
▪ I. session, n.|ˈsɛʃən|
Forms: 4–6 sessioun, 5 cessiown, sessyone, 5 cessione, 5–6 cession, sessyon, 6 cessioun, cecion, cessyon.
[a. F. session (= Sp. sesion, Pg. sessão, It. sessione), ad. L. sessiōnem (sessio), n. of action f. sedēre to sit.]
1. a. The action or an act of sitting; the state or posture of being seated; occupation of a seat in an assembly or the like; also a manner of sitting. Now rare.
1615Crooke Body of Man 996 On the foreside it is gibbous, and that is profitable..for Session and sitting. 1635E. Pagitt Christianogr. i. ii. (1636) 65 To the Bishop whereof was assigned the next place of session in councell after the Bishop of Hierusalem. 1670Marvell Corr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 325 The King has ever since continued his session among them, and says it is better than going to a play. 1695J. Edwards Author. O. & N. Test. III. 133 The antientest heroes used session not discumbiture. 1704Swift Mech. Operat. Spirit 297 The Art of See-saw on a Beam, and swinging by Session upon a Cord. 1859Tennyson Vivien 693 Vivien..Leapt from her session on his lap. 1859F. E. Paget Curate Cumberworth iv. 34 Whether Mrs. Crakanthorpe had indulged herself during her decline by session or recumbency thereon [sc. on a settee] there is, unfortunately, no evidence to show.
b. spec. The ‘sitting’ of Christ at the right hand of God.
c1557Abp. Parker Ps. cx. Collect, Where, by the session of the ryghte hande of thy father, thou subduest thy enemies. 1605Bp. Andrewes Serm. (1629) 369 His Passion and his Session. 1706Stanhope Paraphr. III. 85 This Ascent, and Session of our Blessed Master at God's Right Hand. 1894H. B. Swete Apostles' Creed vi. 64 Some of the oldest accounts, which place the Session immediately after the Resurrection.
†c. A place for sitting. Obs. rare—1.
1412–20Lydg. Chron. Troy ii. 1003 And al aboue, reysed was a se,..Þat callid was..Of þe regne þe sete moste royal... And sessions wer made on euery syde, Only þe statis by ordre to deuyde.
2. a. The sitting together of a number of persons (esp. of a court, a legislative, administrative, or deliberative body) for conference or the transaction of business. Also (now somewhat rarely), a single continuous sitting of persons assembled for conference or business. Also, a business period on the Stock Exchange and other commercial markets.
1444Rolls of Parlt. V. 122/1 To eny Baillif or Baillifs, Lieutenauntz, Deputez or eny othur, in her Sessions and assembleez. 1564Haward Eutrop. vi. 60 When Cesar on a daye wyth the reste of the Senate, were at theyr sessyon in the councell house. 1577–87Holinshed Chron. I. 121/1 The archbishop of Canturburie kept a synod at Herford, the first session whereof began the 24 of September. 1612Drayton Poly-olb. v. 81 Each part most highlie pleas'd, then vp the Session brake. 1661Bk. Com. Prayer, A Prayer for the High Court of Parliament, to be read during their Session. 1667Milton P.L. ii. 514 Then of thir Session ended they bid cry With Trumpets regal sound the great result. 1725Pope Odyss. iii. 171 Nor herald sworn the session to proclaim. 1827Hallam Const. Hist. (1876) III. xiii. 1 The frequent session of parliament..furnished a security against illegal taxation. 1837Carlyle Fr. Rev. I. iii. iii, Already his Majesty..had held session of Notables. 1841Catlin N. Amer. Ind. lviii. II. 240 For the sessions of these dignitaries each tribe has..a Government or council-house. 1869Huxley in Sci. Opin. 21 Apr. 464/1 The British geologists..here in solemn annual session assembled. 1890P. H. Hunter After Exile ii. ii. 33 They proposed further that this court should not confine its sessions to Jerusalem, but should go on circuit. 1928Daily Mail 25 July 19/3 At second session Tin cash {pstlg}217 15s. to {pstlg}217 17s. 6d. 1981Times 1 May 20/2 Leading industrials enjoyed one of the best sessions for some time.
b. transf. and fig.
1594J. Dickenson Arisbas (1878) 59 Being in these dumpes he held a session in his thoughtes. 1855Tennyson Brook 127 His pigeons, who in session on their roofs Approved him.
c. pl. with sing. sense and construction. rare (cf. 3 c).
1613Heywood Silver Age K 4 b, Let's breake this Sessions vp, I am dull. 1847Helps Friends in C. I. vi. 86 Is it not comfortable to have our sessions here for once, and to be looking out on a good solid English wet day?
†d. A number of persons sitting in conference.
1615Chapman Odyss. ii. 40 The old man..weeping, thus bespake the Session. a1656Ussher Ann. vi. (1658) 468 Both parties appeared to Ptolemei Philometor, and a Session of his friends, for the hearing and decision of the Cause.
e. = séance. rare.
1858Hawthorne Fr. & It. Note-bks. (1871) II. 14 Browning and his wife had both been present at a spiritual session held by Mr. Hume.
3. a. A continuous series of sittings or meetings of a court, a legislative, administrative, or deliberative body, held daily or at short intervals; the period or term during which the sittings continue to be held; opposed to recess or vacation.
1553in Burnet Hist. Ref., Rec. ii. i. lvi. (1681) 225 The said Lord President and Council shall keep four general Sittings or Sessions in the Year, every of them to continue by the space of one whole Month. 1871Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) IV. xviii. 130 It was in this Christmas session of the Witan that the vacancy would regularly be filled. 1885Act 48 & 49 Vict. c. 60 §4 A session of the Council shall be held once at least in every two years.
b. spec. In English parliamentary use, applied to the period between the opening of Parliament and its prorogation.
The term autumn session (instead of ‘autumn sitting’) is sometimes used to designate the exceptional resumption of the sittings of the Houses, after an adjournment, in what is normally the autumn recess; but this use is condemned by parliamentary authorities as incorrect.
a1577Sir T. Smith Commw. Eng. ii. iii. (1589) 54 The last day of that parliament or session the Prince commeth in person in his Parliament robes. 1676Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 34 Parliament..some says will be dissolved of course by reason of three sessions past without any bill passing. 1683Repr. Advantages Manuf. Woollen-cloath 1 The 20th Act of the third Sess. of the same Parl. 1711–12Swift Jrnl. to Stella 21 Mar., I doubt the session will not be over till the end of April. a1832Mackintosh Hist. Rev. Wks. 1846 II. 43 At the opening of the Session, that House had contented themselves with general thanks to the King for his speech. 1878H. S. Leigh Town Garland 195 Very few Members of Parliament only Will wait for the Session to crawl to its close.
†c. pl. with sing. sense and construction. Obs.
1642Chas. I Message to Both Ho. 28 Apr. 5 Other Bills passed this Sessions. 1701Maryland Laws v. (1723) 16 Within Six Months from the End of this Sessions of Assembly. 1732W. Pulteney in G. Colman's Posth. Lett. (1820) 38 This day is to conclude a very tedious Sessions of Parlt. 1780M. Madan Thelyphthora II. 59, I much doubt, whether every sessions of Parliament, for some years past, has not afforded melancholy proofs [etc.].
d. (Formerly only in Scotland and the U.S.) The portion of the academic year during which instruction is given. Also, a portion of the day during which classes are held.
summer session, in Sc. use, a period of instruction during the summer, additional to the old winter session.
1714J. Morice Let. 2 Aug. in W. C. Dickinson Two Students at St. Andrews (1952) 53 Alexander Sharp..being a Double Bajan with Mr Pringle last Session. 1775Johnson West. Isl. 12 A [St. Andrews'] student of the highest class may keep his annual session,..which lasts about seven months, for about fifteen pounds. 1807J. Grierson Delin. St. Andrews 108 The session of this college lasts only about four months,..and the complete course of a student's attendance is, at the shortest, four sessions. 1851Catal. Univ. Virginia 15 (Hall College Words) The session commences on the 1st of October, and continues without interruption until the 29th of June. 1861Temple Bar Mag. III. 515 The medical session [at Edinburgh] began on the 1st November. 1862G. Meredith Let. 23 Dec. (1970) I. 180, I presume that if I send to Bankers at Norwich, according to direction, before the next session, it will do. 1880(title) The Mason Science College. Calendar for the Session 1880–81. 1891Edin. Univ. Cal. 30 A Summer Session (1st May to 1st October). 1911Rep. Labour & Soc. Cond. Germany (Tariff Reform League) III. vi. 126 Children go to school at seven o'clock in the morning and stay until eleven; then there is a break, the next session commencing at two and going on till five. 1932Leader 9 July 1 The college is recognised and aided by the Government Board of Indian Medicine. The next session begins from 1st August, 1932. 1976Billings (Montana) Gaz. 27 June 2-d/6 Temporary shelter became a problem... Ricks College in Rexburg, a junior college on high ground, has opened its doors until its summer session starts.
4. A judicial sitting.
†a. gen. A sitting of a judge or judges to determine causes; a judicial trial or investigation. sing. and collect. pl. (often const. as sing.). Obs. (exc. arch. as contextual use of sense 1 or 2).
14..Customs of Malton in Surtees Misc. (1890) 60 Þe sayd Burgoye schall answere..in all sessyons and inqwyres. 1548Cranmer Catech. 58 He that sayeth to his brother Racha..is worthye the sessyons. 1557in Select Pleas Admiralty (Selden Soc.) II. 33 At the Sessyons of the same courte which should be holden the .xiijth daye of Decembre then next folloinge. 1585Fleetwood in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. II. 296 Uppon Thursdaye laste..we kepte a Sessions of Inquyrie in London in the forenone, and in the afternone we kepte the lyke att Fynsburie for Middlesex, in which two severall Sessionses all such as were to be arrayegned for felonye at the Gaole deliverye were indyted. 1604Dekker Honest Wh. Wks. 1873 II. 159 Car. Araigne the poore whore. Ast. Ile not misse that Sessions. 1611Shakes. Wint. T. ii. iii. 202 Summon a Session, that we may arraigne Our most disloyall Lady. 1691H. Consett Pract. Spir. Crts. (1700) 3 The first general Sessions held in the Court of the Arches..was kept..the next day (if no Holy⁓day) after the Feast of St. Faith the Virgin.
transf. and fig.1591H. Smith Lords Supper ii. 30 This is the priuate araignement or close Sessions, when Conscience sits in her chaire to examine, and accuse, and iudge and condemne her selfe. c1600Shakes. Sonn. xxx. 1. 1630 Bp. Hall Occas. Medit. lxxxix. (1633) 225 To hold a privy Sessions, upon my Soule, and actions. 1645Milton Tetrach. Wks. 1851 IV. 194 The hard hearts of others unchastisable in those judicial Courts, were so remitted there, as bound over to the higher Session of Conscience. 1659W. Brough Sacr. Princ. 190 Those particular sessions on my self, prevent His generall assizes. 1879C. Rossetti Seek & Find 22 Daniel..beheld the Session of the Ancient of Days, beheld the Judgment set and the Books opened.
b. sessions of the peace (in ordinary language simply sessions): the periodical sittings of justices of the peace (or, in some instances, of a stipendiary magistrate or a recorder). Often const. as sing.
In England the sessions of the peace are of the following kinds: petty sessions (now Hist.), a court held by two or more justices or a stipendiary magistrate, exercising summary jurisdiction in minor offences within a particular district (a ‘petty sessional division’): replaced by the magistrates' court; special sessions, a periodical meeting of the justices of a division prescribed by statute for the transaction of some particular kind of business (under this head are included brewster sessions or licensing sessions, for the hearing of applications for licences to sell alcoholic drinks); general sessions or quarter sessions (both now Hist.), a court held four times a year (in a county, riding, etc. by the justices of the peace, and in certain boroughs by the recorder), having a limited criminal and civil jurisdiction and certain administrative functions: replaced in 1971 by the Crown Court system. Cf. quarter-sessions 1. (The sessions, without qualification, usually denoted the quarter sessions.) Quarter sessions were also held in Scotland and Ireland. In certain British colonies the English system of sessions of the peace formerly existed, and was for a time retained in some of the United States.
c1386Chaucer Prol. 355 At sessiouns ther was he lord and sire. 1453Rolls. of Parlt. V. 267/2 The Justicez of the peax in theire Sessions of peax. 1477Ibid. VI. 173/2 Diverse of the Kyng's Justices of the peas..sittyng in the Kyng's generall Cessions of pease in the same Counte. 1548in J. H. Glover Kingsthorpiana (1883) 108 One Gregorye Cosbye..was indyted at a cessyons holden at Northn for huntyng of the hare in the feld of Pysford. 1556Chron. Grey Friars (Camden) 34 A prisoner brake from the halle at Newgate whan the cecions was done. 1673Sir W. Temple Ess. Adv. Trade Irel. Misc. i. (1680) 116 Sometimes one share of that Money is paid to a single pretender at the Sizes, or Sessions. 1699Plea agst. Extr. Price of Corn 23 Our Country Alehouse-making Justices at their Petty-Sessions, Quarter, and General Sessions. 1754Gentl. Mag. XXIV. 461 The Brewster-Sessions at Bray in Northungria. 1844Ld. Brougham Brit. Const. xix. (1862) 315 The Magistrates, when acting singly or in small numbers at petty sessions. 1859Dickens T. Two Cities ii. v, A favourite at the Old Bailey, and eke at the Sessions.
rarely in sing.1442Rolls of Parlt. V. 43/1 Ones a yere a gret Cession holden afore the Kynges Justice,..and also a petit Cession, holden afore the said Justice. 1588Lambarde Eiren. iv. i. (1591) 374 margin, The description of a Session of the Peace. 1616B. Jonson Devil an Ass v. vi. 21 Pvg. How? longer here a moneth? Ing. Yes, boy, till the Session. c1710C. Fiennes Diary (1888) 160 Appleby..is the shire town where the session and assizes are held. 1844Act 7 & 8 Vict. c. 101 §2 Such Justice of the Peace shall thereupon issue his Summons to the Person..to appear at a Petty Session.
†c. petty sessions or statute sessions: see quots. (cf. petty sessions in b). Obs.
1562–3Act 5 Eliz. c. 4 §40 That it shalbe laufull to the Highe Constables of Hundredes in every Shire, to holde kepe and contynue Petie Sessions, otherwise called Statute Sessions. 1641Termes de la Ley 247 Petit Sessions or statute Sessions are held by the high Constables of every Hundred for the placing of servants. 1787W. H. Marshall Rur. Econ. Norfolk (1795) I. 40 The High Constable of the Hundred in which a statute is held, holds what is called a ‘petty sessions’; at which the hiring [of servants] and its attendant circumstances are, or may be, registered.
d. great session or grand session(s: a court of justice formerly held half-yearly in each of the counties of Wales, presided over by itinerant judges forming a distinct body from the judges of assize in England. court of session: a court formerly exercising for the County Palatine of Chester a jurisdiction more or less corresponding to that of the courts of assize in the rest of England. Obs. exc. Hist.
Both these courts were abolished in 1830 by the Act 11 Geo. IV & 1 Will. IV, c. 70 §14.
1542–3Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII, c. 26 §4 There shalbe holden..Sessions twyse in everye yere in everye of the saide Shyres in..Wales:..the whiche Sessions shall be called the Kinges Greate Sessions in Wales. 1707Lond. Gaz. No. 4330/4 The Grand Jury, Justices of the Peace, and others.., met together at the Great Sessions holden for the said County [Pembroke]. 1730Act 3 Geo. II, c. 25 Preamb., Judges of the Great Sessions in Wales. Ibid. §9 Causes in the Grand Sessions in any County of Wales. Ibid., At least eight Days before every Grand Sessions. §14 The Grand Session in Wales. 1899W. R. Williams (title), The history of the Great Sessions in Wales 1542–1830.
5. Scots Law.
a. Hist. The name given to a court of justice (often called ‘the Session of James I’), established in 1425, consisting of the Chancellor and other persons chosen by the king, which sat three times in the year to determine such causes as had previously been brought before the king and his council. The judges of this court were called the Lords of Session.
b. Court of Session: the supreme civil tribunal of Scotland (otherwise called the College of Justice: see college 1 c), established by Act of Parliament in 1532, and uniting in itself the powers and jurisdiction which had belonged to the Session of James I, to the Daily Council of James IV, and to the Lords Auditors of Parliament. The judges of this court are officially styled Lords of Council and Session, but in ordinary language Lords of Session. (Formerly the court was often spoken of as † the Session(s).
1495Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot. I. 242 Item, gevin to the Freris of Edinburgh at the Kingis commande xviij s. at the sessyon. 1496Ibid. 269 Quhen the King raid to Sanct Jhonistoun to the cessioun. 1500–20Dunbar Poems ix. 134 At Counsale, Sessioun, and at Parliament. 1503Lords of Session [see council 7]. 1569Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 665 Gevin and pronunceit be the Lordis of Counsale and Sessioun. 1577–87Holinshed Hist. Scot. 317/2 This yeere [1530] the college court of iustice called the sessions was instituted. 1610Holland Camden's Brit. ii. 8 The Colledge of Iustice, or as they call it The Session. 1652Lamont Diary (Bannatyne Club) 37 Lords of Session and Counsell. 1708J. Chamberlayne St. Gt. Brit. ii. ii. vi. (1710) 426 None shall be named..to be ordinary Lords of Session, but such who have been Advocates or principal Clerks of Session for the Space of Five Years. 1711Act 10 Anne c. 13 §2 The Christmas Vacation of the Session or College of Justice.
6. Sc. = kirk-session.
a1572Knox Hist. Ref. iii. Wks. 1848 II. 152 That the auld Sessioun befor thair departure, nominat twenty-four in Electioun for Elders,..and thirty-two for Deacounes. 1672Sir G. Mackenzie Pleadings Pref. A iij, Our Session having been at first constitute of an equal number of Churchmen and Laicks. 1725in J. J. Vernon Hawick (1900) 187 The Minister did read to ye members of ye Session a petition. 1786Burns Answ. to Trimming Epist. by Tailor vii, Wi' pinch I put a Sunday's face on, An' snoov'd awa' before the Session. 1846J. Macfarlane Late Secess. Ch. Scot. 124 The list of parishes vacant, and of sessions dismembered, and of churches thinned, is not to be overlooked.
7. transf. [Senses not necessarily dependent upon the notion of ‘sitting’.] A period of time given to or set aside for the pursuit of a particular activity.
a. gen.
1920, etc. [see bull n.4 3 b]. 1970[see rap session s.v. rap n.1 7]. 1976Cumberland News 3 Dec. 24/5 A short session of dominoes followed.
b. in which musicians perform music, esp. for recording. Also, the music so recorded. Cf. jam session s.v. jam n.1 3; recording session s.v. recording vbl. n. 5.
1927[see recording session s.v. recording vbl. n. 5]. 1929Melody Maker Apr. 381/1 The trouble is due to inferior musicians being engaged for this session. 1947G. Beall in R. de Toledano Frontiers of Jazz vii. 87 He is present on most of the records, however, taking part in the recording session although the men know his part would not be directly apparent. 1962Radio Times 17 May 43 The jazz musician..is merely inviting himself back to his friend's place for a beer after their session. 1969R. A. Noblett Stavin' Chain 7 This version has not been released on record... The session is, however, interesting.
c. A disturbance or argument. colloq. (chiefly Austral. and N.Z.).
1919H. L. Wilson Ma Pettengill iv. 130 Then Ben came down and had a wholehearted session with me. He said I ought to have a talk with Ed and reason him out of his folly. 1930L. W. Lower Here's Luck i. 5 We had a bit of a session—a ‘go in’ as they call it. I tried to reason with him. 1949J. R. Cole It was so Late 10 ‘Don't shoot the barman, he's half shot already.’..‘Bit of a session, eh?’
8. attrib. and Comb., as (sense 2) session-bell; (sense 3) session-time; (sense 4) sessions-chamber, session(s day; (sense 6) session-clerk, session-clerkship; (sense 7) session fee, session man, session work; session(s-book Sc., a book kept in each parish to record the proceedings of the kirk-session; session(s-house, (a) a building in which sessions are held; (b) Sc., a room attached to a church in which the session meets; session musician, one who is engaged to play music, usu. accompaniments, at a recording session; † sessions-paper, a list of cases put down for trial at the sessions.
1701Acts of Sederunt (1790) 221 After the ringing of the *Session-bell.
1829Train in Scott Old Mort. Introd., His death is not registered in the *session-book of any of the neighbouring parishes.
1778Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2) s.v. Weldon-Great, A handsome market-house, and a *sessions-chamber over it.
1821Galt Ann. Parish xii. (1895) 86 The schoolmaster was likewise *session-clerk and precentor. 1876Session clerk [see parochial a. (n.) 1 a].
1795Statist. Acc. Scot. XVI. 511 This and the *session-clerkship do not belong to him as schoolmaster.
1537London in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. II. 81 In the *cession dayes and other cowrt dayes. 1602Heywood Wom. killed w. Kindn. (1617) C 1 b, This is the Sessions day.
1977Times 1 Nov. 14/5 The orchestra had a choice: either to take a share of the royalties or settle for what the trade calls a *session fee—a once-and-for-all payment.
1599Lewkenor Contarini's Commw. Venice i. 22 Euery holliday..this great councell is assembled into a great and spacious hall, which we will call the *Session house. 1600in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ. (1908) V. 389 They were..bidd to putt on their bootes and to goe to the sessions house. 1647Acts of Sederunt (1790) 55 All the advocates sall come to the Session-hous. 1836Dickens Sk. Boz, Scenes xxv, The right wing of the prison [Newgate] nearest the Sessions-house.
1958J. Asman in P. Gammond Decca Bk. Jazz xiv. 170 Men who worked in a number of musical fields, providing the recording studios with a reliable nucleus of *session-men for every kind of date. 1980Oxford Times 20 June 18 She is expertly backed by..fine sessionmen.
1968Guardian 23 Feb. 10/6 The vast majority of pop records made rely to some extent on *session musicians. 1980P. Gosling Loser's Blues ii. 12 Separately as session musicians on other pop discs they were occasionally..in the charts.
a1704T. Brown Pleas. Lett. to Gent. Wks. 1709 III. ii. 16 The greasy Fragments of a *Sessions-Paper. 1728Gay Polly i. (1777) 18 Every monthly sessions-paper..was a record of his [a thief-taker's] services.
1817Scott Let. in Lockhart (1837) IV. ii. 59 In the vacation I never sit down; in the *session-time I seldom rise up.
1976J. Wainwright Walther P. 38 82, I moved around from band to band..and sat in on my share of *session work at the recording studios.
Add:[7.] d. A period devoted to heavy drinking; a drinking-bout. colloq. (chiefly Austral.).
1943[implied in *sesh n.]. 1949L. Glassop Lucky Palmer 215 I'll join you in a beer later, but I don't want to get into a session. 1955D. Niland Shiralee 51, I don't want to make a session of it... I'd just like a drink to pick me up. 1962K. Simons Not with Kiss 26 ‘What's the drum on the party tomorrow night?’ ‘Oh, just a bit of a session for the boys.’ 1981C. Williams Open Cut 148 She has to go longer hours... Bloke'll shoot off for a session. She has to make up her own entertainment. 1985M. Munro Patter 61 A session or bevvy-session is a spell of drinking, a booze-up.
▪ II. session, v. Sc. (see also E.D.D.).|ˈsɛʃən|
[f. prec.]
trans. To bring before the kirk-session.
1895Crockett Men of Mosshags 125 Was there one of us..that had not been sessioned time and again? |