| 释义 |
ˈspirited, a.
[f. spirit n.
In addition to its uses as a simple word, spirited also occurs as the second element in a large number of combs., as bold-, cold-, high-, humble-, low-, mean-, meek-, narrow-, poor-, public-spirited, etc., which are dealt with under the first element or as main words.]
†1. Impregnated with spirit or active properties.
1599B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. v. iv, Pure benjamin, the onely spirited sent, that ever awak'd a neapolitane nostrill. 1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 50 Which perhaps must not be taken strictly, but in the germe and spirited particles. 1677Miége Fr. Dict. ii. s.v. Sparkle, To Sparkle as spirited wine nimbly filled out.
2. Of persons: Full of spirit or animation; of a lively and energetic disposition; prompt to act, or to assert oneself, in a worthy manner.
1599B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. iv. i, This tire (me thinkes) makes me looke very ingeniously, quick, and spirited. Ibid. v. iv, O brave and spirited! Hee's a right Jovialist. 1725De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 294 So generous, spirited, and grateful a person. 1748Anson's Voy. ii. vi. 193 The shouts..of threescore sailors.., joyous as they always are, when they land..; the huzza's, I say, of this spirited detachment. 1780Mirror No. 102, Nor is the ambition of those spirited ladies satisfied with speaking in public. 1828D'Israeli Chas. I, II. x. 245 The spirited servant on whom the hope of his glory rested. 1852C. M. Yonge Cameos II. viii. 101 The French..had always been forced back by the spirited little garrison. 1895Meredith Amazing Marriage I. i. 4 He wealthy and rather handsome, and she quite lovely and spirited.
b. Energetic or enterprising in the pursuit of some study or business.
1769Junius Lett. ii. (1788) 41 A most spirited as well as excellent scholar. 1799A. Young Agric. Linc. 74 A very spirited and active farmer. 1847W. C. L. Martin Ox 82/1 The improvement in the short-horns..under the superintendence of spirited individuals.
c. Of animals, esp. horses: Full of animation and vigour; mettlesome.
1774Goldsm. Nat. Hist. II. 362 The Persian horses..are docile, spirited, nimble, hardy, courageous [etc.]. 1828Lytton Pelham II. viii, I saw a groom managing, with difficulty, a remarkably fine and spirited horse. 1846J. Baxter Libr. Pract. Agric. (ed. 4) II. 217 The cock..should be brisk, spirited, and attentive..in defending the hens. 1869H. F. Tozer Highl. Turkey II. 319 A man..seated on a spirited charger. 1871Blackie Four Phases Morals i. 7 Men who wish to learn to ride do not choose the meekest and most docile beast..but the most spirited.
3. Of things: Characterized by, displaying, or suggestive of spirit, animation, vigour, or energy:
a. Of literary work, speech, etc.
1715Pope Iliad Pref. ⁋35 The most noble and spirited translation I know in any language. 1768in Priv. Lett. Ld. Malmesbury (1870) I. 166 Some very spirited expressions flung out in our King's speech. 1797Jane Austen Sense & Sens. xxxvii, A very spirited critique upon the party. 1835T. Mitchell Acharn. of Aristoph. 463 note, A spirited version of this chorus..appeared in an early number of a monthly publication. 1867Freeman Norm. Conq. I. v. 378 To which summons the Earl returns a spirited reply.
b. Of action, conduct, etc.
1765in Priv. Lett. Ld. Malmesbury (1870) I. 132 Had the Governor acted a becoming or spirited part at first, matters had not risen into this confusion. 1796Scott Let. in Lockhart (1837) I. vii. 238 By the wise precautions of the magistrates,..and the spirited conduct of the gentlemen, I hope their designs will be frustrated. 1815― Guy M. xxx, A few such instances of spirited resistance would greatly check the presumption of these lawless men. 1841Excheq. Rep. ii. 178 Her Majesty's government entertain a high sense of the very spirited and able conduct of Commander Denman. 1860Tyndall Glac. i. xxiii. 161 The thing was accomplished in a very spirited way. 1897M. Kingsley W. Africa 339 It was a spirited performance I assure you.
c. Of business or other enterprises.
1771Ann. Reg. ii. 109/2 Amongst the rarest instances of spirited husbandry ever met with among the common farmers of England. 1842E. J. Lance Cottage Farmer 26 To whose spirited exertions we are mainly indebted for the annual cattle-show. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. iii. I. 378 It was announced that a vehicle..would perform the whole journey between sunrise and sunset. This spirited undertaking was solemnly..sanctioned by the Heads of the University. 1879Cassell's Techn. Educ. I. 225/2 A gradual and spirited revival of the Gothic style.
d. Of attitudes, features, etc., or artistic representations of objects.
1781Sir J. Reynolds Journ. Flanders & Holland Wks. 1797 II. 57 Some horsemen are seen at a distance in very spirited attitudes. 1832Brewster Nat. Magic iv. 78 The expence of exceedingly minute and spirited drawings. 1849C. Brontë Shirley vii, What clearly cut, spirited features! 1879H. Phillips Notes Coins 11 The action is spirited and by no means so stiff as the low state of the arts would have warranted us in expecting.
4. Of persons: Occupied or possessed by a (good or evil) spirit.
1667Milton P.L. ix. 613 So talk'd the spirited sly Snake. 1861J. A. Alexander Gosp. Christ iii. 47 A voice both of kindness and of authority, stole in upon your spirited senses.
5. Gr. Gram. Provided with a breathing.
1668M. Casaubon Credulity (1670) 98 As for example, αγνος: Accented and Spirited ἂγνος, it signifies..a willow.
6. Impregnated with alcoholic spirit.
1822–7Good Study Med. (1829) II. 693 The mischief produced by highly-spirited malt liquors. |