释义 |
ˈclose-ˌfisted, a. That keeps the hand tightly shut; usually in the fig. sense of: Loath to give, stingy, niggardly, miserly, penurious. The opposite of open-handed.
1608Machin Dumb Knt. v. i, in Hazl. Dodsley X. 198 There is Some too close-fisted hardness in your hearts. 1630J. Taylor (Water P.) Vertue of a Tayle Wks. ii. 131/2 Close-fisted Niggardize. 1640Bp. Hall Episc. i. 28 If any man will be so stiffe, and close-fisted, as to stick at any of them [Postulata], they shall be easily wrung out of his fingers by the force of Reason. 1750Berkeley Patriotism §22 A carking, griping, closefisted fellow. 1845Ford Handbk. Spain i. 61 The close-fisted in no country must hope to receive much gratuitous Service. b. quasi-adv. Grudgingly.
1575Fenton Gold. Epist. (1577) 72 All those..that giue any thing, giue it close fisted (as the saying is). Hence ˌcloseˈfistedness.
1631Celestina ii. 30 Close-fistednes..doth eclypse and darken, whereas..liberality doth gaine. a1639W. Whately Prototypes i. xi. (1640) 113 Nothing lesse beseemeth a wealthy man then close-fistednesse. |