| 释义 |
▪ I. ˈclifty, a.1
[f. clift n.2 + -y.]
= cliffy.
1589Fleming Virg. Georg. i. 5 From lofty brow Of steep and cliftie passages [cleere] water [gliding downe]. 1632Lithgow Trav. vii. 332 In a clifty Creeke close by the sea side. a1798Pennant (L.), The rocks..their clifty sides are fringed with weed. 1887Harper's Mag. Dec. 56 Rioting among the clifty heights.
▪ II. † ˈclifty, a.2 Obs.
Of uncertain origin and meaning: in quots. 1647, 1686, it might be from clive, cleave v.2 = adherent, clinging; Jamieson says ‘clever, fleet, (a horse) of light make and good action; (fuel) which is easily kindled and burns briskly’; Halliwell says ‘lively, active’.[LG. dialects have clüftig, clüchtig, nearly in sense of ‘clever’.] 1570Levins Manip. 111 Clifty, fertilis. 1647Commonw. Ballads (1841) 43 The prentices are gallant blades, and to the king are clifty; But the lord mair and aldermen are scarce so wise as thrifty. 1686G. Stuart Joco-ser. Disc. 70 A couple of knights..Clamb up the shrouds..And proved themsels twa clifty men. |