| 释义 |
ˈcross-ˈbench
[cross a., cross- 4.]
A bench placed at right angles to other benches. spec. In the House of Lords, at Westminster, certain benches so placed, on which independent or neutral members sometimes sit.
1846J. Baxter Libr. Pract. Agric. (ed. 4) I. p. xvii, He seated himself upon the cross benches, an unusual position to take in the House of Lords. 1849H. Martineau Hist. Eng. I. 15 The cross-benches of neutrality in the House of Commons. 1884Pall Mall G. 15 Feb. 3/1 Lord Granville's answer to Lord Wemyss's demand for more cross-benches is one of the neatest things on record.
b. attrib., esp. in the phrase cross-bench mind.
1884Ld. Granville Sp. in Ho. Lords (Pall Mall G. 15 Feb. 3/1), Individually..I have no great sympathy with the cross-bench mind..While..I prefer a good Liberal I am afraid I also prefer even a good Tory to those who are neither fish, fowl, flesh, nor good herring. 1884Duke of Argyll Sp. in Ho. Lords 7 July, It would be well for this House if a great majority of its members had the cross-bench mind.
Hence ˌcross-ˈbencher, one who occupies a cross-bench, or asserts his independency of party; ˌcross-ˈbenchedness.
1885Contemp. Rev. Mar. 456 Though posing as a cross-bencher, the author writes in a strong Tory spirit of Nationalism. 1885Sat. Rev. 24 Jan. 101/2 Cross-benchedness has not exactly been justified of all her children. |