| 释义 |
▪ I. quandary, n.|ˈkwɒndərɪ, formerly kwənˈdɛərɪ|
Also 6 quandare, -arye, 6–7 -arie, 8–9 quondary.
[Of unknown origin; in common use from c 1580.
Possibly a corruption of some term of scholastic Latin. The suggestions that it is ad. F. qu'en dirai-je ‘what shall I say of it?’ that it represents ME. wandreth, or is an abbrev. of hypochondry, are (apart from other considerations) condemned by the fact that the original stressing is quanˈdary. The usual pronunc. is now ˈquandary, given by Johnson (who calls it ‘a low word’) and Webster, but not accepted by Sheridan, Walker, or Smart.]
A state of extreme perplexity or uncertainty; a dilemma causing (great) mental agitation or distress; † a ticklish plight. Freq. in phr. in a (great, sad, etc.) quandary.
1579Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 45 Euphues..departed, leaving this olde gentleman in a great quandarie. 1582Stanyhurst æneis iv. (Arb.) 94 The Queene in meane while with carks quandare deepe anguisht [etc.]. 1611Beaum. & Fl. Knt. Burn. Pestle i. i, Much I fear, forsaking of my diet, Will bring me presently to that quandary, I shall bid all adieu. 1652C. B. Stapylton Herodian xvi. 135 The Nobles, Gentry, Souldiers in quandaries..To Turret tops he fetches more Vagaries. a1720Sheffield (Dk. Buckhm.) Wks. (1729) 201 Apollo now driv'n to a cursed Quandary was wishing for Swift, or for fam'd Lady Mary. 1751Smollett Per. Pic. (1779) I. ii. 9 Thof he be sometimes thrown into perilous passions and quandaries. 1847Disraeli Tancred ii. iv, All his quandaries terminated in the same catastrophe; a compromise. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 229 Now I was in a great quandary at having to answer this question.
▪ II. † quandary, v. Obs. rare.
[f. prec.]
a. trans. To perplex, put in a quandary.
b. intr. To be in a quandary.
1616T. Adams Soul's Sickness Wks. 1861 I. 505 He quandaries, whether to goe forward to God, or, with Demas, to turne backe to the world. 1681Otway Soldier's Fort. iii. i, Methinks I am quandary'd like one going with a Party to discover the Enemy's Camp, but had lost his Guide upon the Mountains. 1794W. B. Stevens Let. 19 Nov. in Jrnl. (1965) 206 Your Grandfather's sentiments are so far come round that he seems to be quandaryed (that's not a dictionary word I believe) and wishes for Peace. |