| 释义 |
ˈshortcoming, vbl. n.
[f. phrase to come short: see short adv. 8 c, d.
In 1847 censured by De Quincey as a Scotticism (Protestantism Wks. 1858 VIII. 89).]
The condition or fact of coming short; an instance of this. a. Failure to come up to a standard of excellence or to fulfil a duty; a defect. (Chiefly in pl.). b. Failure to reach the required or expected amount, a deficiency.
c1680M'Ward Contendings (1723) 222 (Jam.), A just sensibleness..of our unworthy shortcomings. 1801Farmer's Mag. Nov. 441 A short-coming of the proprietor's rent. 1837Carlyle Fr. Rev. III. vi. vi, He sounded..the note of Jacobinism, to hide past shortcomings. 1845Gladstone Glean. (1879) II. 10 He had no eye for our faults and shortcomings. 1848Dickens Dombey lviii, There were no shortcomings anywhere, in anything but money. 1860― Lett. (1880) II. 113 The shortcomings of representative government. 1885Swinburne Victor Hugo vi. (1886) 84 Such..shortcomings as will probably be detected in a work which at least lays no claim to completeness. 1889Standard 17 Apr., How can this shortcoming be made good? 1898L. Stephen Stud. Biogr. I. iv. 106 A confession of shortcoming.
So ˈshortcoming a., defective.
1889Brydall Art in Scot. xii. 246 His works are carefully finished and drawn, but rather shortcoming in colour. |