| 释义 |
questionable, a.|ˈkwɛstjənəb(ə)l|
[f. question v. + -able.]
†1.
a. Of a person: That may be interrogated; of whom questions may be asked.
b. Of a question: That may be asked or put.
c. Of a place: Where questions may easily be asked. Obs. rare.
1590C. S. Right Relig. 1 It is a question, scarse questionable. 1602Shakes. Ham. i. iv. 43 Thou com'st in such a questionable shape, That I will speake to thee. 1607Middleton Five Gallants ii. iii, In such public as a tavern, such a questionable place. [1878Simpson Sch. Shaks. II. 119 (tr. Prodigal Son) Hollah! boy.. Stay still and be questionable. Tell me [etc.]. ]
†2. Of persons or acts: Liable to be called to account or dealt with judicially. Obs.
1639R. Gentilis Servita's Inquis. (1676) 833 The delinquent shall be sent to the place where he is questionable for spiritual Matters. 1660Trial Regic. 51 Whatever was done by their Commands, or their Authority, is not questionable by your Lordships. 1685Cotton tr. Montaigne (1877) I. 60 Many have thought we are not fairly questionable for anything but what we commit against our conscience.
3. Of things, facts, etc.: That may be questioned or called in question (rarely const. by); open to question or dispute; doubtful, uncertain. Freq. in phr. it is questionable (whether, if, etc.).
1607Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 96 It is questionable, whether they have any Hindes or females. 1643Prynne Treach. & Disloyalty iii. 127 (R.) Making it a thing not questionable by our Prelates and Clergie. 1685Lady Russell in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 341 The Queen, is not at all well;..'tis questionable if she can endure the ceremony of the Coronation. 1772Junius Lett. Ded. 6 The right of juries to return a general verdict, in all cases whatsoever is..not..in any shape questionable by the legislature. 1790Burke Fr. Rev. 63 Whatever rendered property questionable, ambiguous, and insecure. 1818Cruise Digest (ed. 2) IV. 147 This doctrine is very questionable. 1882Spurgeon Treas. Dav. Ps. cxxiv. Introd., They have ventured upon so many other questionable statements that we are not bound to receive this dictum. 1883Sir J. C. Mathew in Law Rep. 11 Queen's Bench Div. 592 It was very questionable whether the words used were defamatory per se.
b. Of doubtful or obscure meaning. rare.
1742Richardson Pamela III. 408 When I cannot answer for myself, to render anything dark or questionable in it. 1835I. Taylor Spir. Despot. iv. 119 In the lapse of ages, the phraseology of law may become first obsolete, and then questionable.
c. of qualities, properties, etc.: About the existence or presence of which there may be question.
1796Morse Amer. Geog. I. vii, The propriety of importing any of our school books from Great Britain..is very questionable. 1856Kane Arct. Expl. I. xii. 123 The questionable privilege of having as many wives as he could support. 1885Manch. Exam. 20 Feb. 5/1 Either its object is of questionable expediency, or its work is imperfectly done.
d. Of doubtful nature, character, or quality; dubious in respect of goodness, respectability, etc.
1806T. S. Surr Winter in Lond. II. 261 There are a thousand questionable thoughts rushing at once upon my mind. a1822Shelley Chas. I, ii. 203 Stick not even at questionable means. 1880L. Stephen Pope iii. 79 A coolness ensued between the principal and his partners in consequence of these questionable dealings. |