释义 |
communicable, a.|kəˈmjuːnɪkəb(ə)l| Also 5 comynycable. [prob. a. F. communicable, on L. type *commūnicābil-is, f. commūnicā-re to communicate: see -ble.] †1. Communicating, having communication with others, having inter-communication. Obs.
1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xiii. xx. (1495) 450 Abyssus is depnesse of water that maye neuer be stoppyd ne laued ne emptyd and is comynycable. 1677A. Yarranton Engl. Improv. 177, I will see whether Thames River may be so perfected as Trade by a Water Carriage may be made communicable and Easy. Ibid. 187 Surveying the River Thames, and the Sharwell, to find if they might be made Navigable, and Communicable with the Severne and Avon. †2. Pertaining in common. Obs. rare.
a1528Skelton Prayer Holy Ghost (R.), To the Father, and the Son, thou art communicable In vnitate whiche is inseperable. [Cf.1610s.v. communicably.] 3. That may be communicated or imparted.
1534Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) D d viij, The goddis..haue made all thynges communicable to men mortall, excepte immortalitie. 1577tr. Bullinger's Decades (1592) 676 Properties of God, communicable to no creature. 1671Milton P.R. i. 419 Lost bliss, to thee no more communicable. 1794G. Adams Nat. & Exp. Philos. IV. l. 376 The power of attracting iron, etc., possessed by the loadstone, which is communicable to iron and steel. 1869E. A. Parkes Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) 483 An animal poison..communicable from person to person. b. Of information or the like; cf. communicate v. 2, communication 2.
1663Marvell Corr. Wks. 1872–5 II. 91, I should do it [i.e. salute you] oftner, were the businesse of the House so..communicable as formerly. 1667Milton P.L. vii. 124 To none communicable in Earth or Heaven. †c. Commonly applicable. Obs. rare.
a1661Fuller Worthies, London ii. 191 The Engine: This general Word, communicable to all Machins or Instruments, use..hath confined to signifie that which is used to quench Scare-fires therein. †4. Suitable for communication; serving as a means of imparting information. Obs. rare.
1589Puttenham Poesie iii. x. (Arb.) 172 The vulgar instruction requiring also vulgar and communicable termes, not clerkly or vncouthe. 1643True Informer 16 In some communicable language (either in French or Latin). 5. Communicative, ready to converse, affable.
1534Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) D d vj, Be great with the greattest, and communicable with your inferiours. Ibid. G vj, Communicable and conuersaunt with many. 1557North Gueuara's Diall Pr. 80 b/2 Man..was a creature..sociable, communycable, and risyble. 1631Celestina vii. 91 This retirednesse is no cure for your disease; you must be free and communicable. 1798W. Hutton Autobiog. App. 120 The favourite topics of the communicable old man. 1872Black Adv. Phaeton xx. 285 Of a frank and communicable disposition. |