| 释义 |
Crichton|ˈkraɪt(ə)n|
The surname of James Crichton of Clunie (1560–85?), a Scottish prodigy of intellectual and knightly accomplishments; freq. qualified by admirable, it is used allusively for any person who excels in all kinds of studies and pursuits. Hence Admirable Crichtonism; also Crichˈtonian adj.
The epithet which became traditional was first applied in Johnstone's Heroes Scoti (1603) 41 Iacobus Critonius Clunius, Musarum pariter ac Martis alumnus, omnibus in studiis, ipsis etiam Italis admirabilis. In English it appeared first in Urquhart's Jewel (1652) 112 The admirable Crichtoun..did..present himself to epilogate this his almost extemporanean Comedie.
1812T. Amyot Life of Windham I. 139 [Windham] was the admirable Crichton of his age and country. a1845Barham Ingol. Leg. 3rd Ser. (1847) 264 Like a small boy at Eton, Who's not quite a Crichton. 1889Blackw. Mag. CXLVI. 707/1 The..endless resource and Admirable Crichtonism of Robert Hazel. 1890Punch 11 Jan. 15/2 Algy... You lucky dog, you possess all the accomplishments I lack! Jim... Oh, nonsense! Why, you're making me out a regular Crichton! 1900Academy 3 Feb. 99/2 Matthew, the self-taught, listening intelligently to a German song while he is swimming, is a little too Crichtonian. 1914‘Ian Hay’ Lighter Side School Life ii. 47 In addition to all this, he must be an Admirable Crichton. 1914J. M. Barrie (title) The admirable Crichton. 1953A. Christie Pocket Full of Rye iv. 30 Inspector Neele raised his eyebrows. ‘The admirable Miss Crichton.’ ‘I find one must know how to do everything oneself.’ 1959Listener 5 Feb. 244/1 Other people, in some sort of Admirable Crichton situation, in fact exercise authority even though they are not in authority. |