| 释义 |
preposterous, a.|prɪˈpɒstərəs|
Also 7 -postrous.
[f. L. præposter-us reversed, perverted, absurd (f. præ before + poster-us coming after, following) + -ous. Cf. obs. F. prépostère (Cotgr.).]
1. Having or placing last that which should be first; inverted in position or order. Now rare.
1552Huloet, Preposterouse, out of order, ouerthwarth, transuerted, or last done which should haue ben first. 1583Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. (1882) 59 This is preposterous geare, when Gods ordinance is turned topsie turuie, vpside downe. 1589Puttenham Eng. Poesie iii. xx. (Arb.) 262 The preposterous is a pardonable fault... We call it by a common saying to set the carte before the horse. 1657M. Hawke Killing is M. 56 Though the Monster lurk in Cacus cave, yet notwithstanding his preposterous steps will be discovered. 1725Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Tulip, Which would certainly do them harm, by reason of the preposterous Motion it might give the Sprout when the Season for planting the Bulbs is come. 1809–10Coleridge Friend (ed. 4) I. 224 It is, indeed, in the literal sense of the word, preposterous. 1856Ferrier Inst. Metaph. Introd. §62 The fatal effects of this preposterous (in the exact sense of that word) procedure.
†b. Having the eyes set behind. Obs. rare—1.
1665Glanvill Scepsis Sci. xvii. 102 Thus our Eyes like the preposterous Animals are behind us.
2. Contrary to the order of nature, or to reason or common sense; monstrous; irrational; perverse, foolish, nonsensical; in later use, utterly absurd.
1542Udall Erasm. Apoph. (1877) 14 He checked the preposterous & ouerthwarte iudgemente, that the common sort of people haue of thinges. 1584R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. x. vii. (1886) 148 Dreames in the dead of the night are commonlie preposterous and monstrous. 1593Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, v. vi. 5 Good Gloster, and good Deuill, were alike, And both preposterous. 1641Milton Judgm. Bucer xxii. Wks. 1738 I. 281 Austin and some others, who were much taken with a preposterous admiration of single life. 1713Gay Guardian No. 149 ⁋12 The muff and fur are preposterous in June. 1789W. Buchan Dom. Med. i. (1790) 2 Nothing can be more preposterous than a mother who thinks it below her to take care of her own child. 1809W. Irving Knickerb. (1861) 103 To exclaim at the preposterous idea of convincing the mind by tormenting the body. 1863P. Barry Dockyard Econ. 126 America has constructed, and is still constructing, ships of war of preposterous tonnage, simply because England is constructing ships of war of preposterous tonnage. 1879Froude Cæsar xxviii. 480 The very notion is preposterous. |