| 释义 |
ˈcross-ˈpurpose
[As now used, f. cross a., cross- 4: but in early use cross appears to have been a preposition (cross or contrary to the purpose): cf. cross-bliss (cross- 10), cross-course a.]
1. Contrary or conflicting purpose; contradictoriness of intention.
1681Cotton Wond. Peak 59 We altogether in confusion spoke: But all cross purpose, not a word of sence. 1711Shaftesbury Charac. (1737) I. 305 To allow benefit of clergy, and to restrain the press, seems to me to have something of cross-purpose in it. 1797Burke Regic. Peace iii. Wks. VIII. 340 Before men can transact any affair, they must have a common language to speak..otherwise all is cross-purpose and confusion. 1824Scott St. Ronan's xxxi, He..makes signs, which she always takes up at cross-purpose.
2. pl. The name of a parlour game: cf. cross-question n. c. Often fig.
1666Pepys Diary 26 Dec., Then to cross purposes, mighty merry; and then to bed. 1698Farquhar Love & Bottle iv. i, I won't pay you the kisses you won from me last night at cross-purposes. 1712Steele Spect. No. 504 ⁋1 The agreeable Pastime in Country-Halls of Cross-purposes, Questions and Commands, and the like. 1768–74Tucker Lt. Nat. (1852) II. 545 In the common way of playing at cross purposes, where each party has a quite different sense of the subjects and arguments handled between them. 1860Mrs. Carlyle Lett. III. 55 Was there ever such a game at cross-purposes as this correspondence of ours.
3. to be at cross-purposes: (of persons) to have plans intended for the same end, but which cross and interfere with each other; to act counter from a misconception by each of the other's purpose. (Perh. derived from the game.)
1688Miege Fr. Dict. s.v. Cross, Cross Purposes, contradictions. 1769Junius Lett. xvi. 72 No man, whose understanding is not at cross-purposes with itself. 1822Hazlitt Table-t. Ser. ii. vi. (1869) 135 Such persons..are constantly at cross-purposes with themselves and others. 1868Rogers Pol. Econ. vi. (ed. 3) 59 Like some married people, they have been at cross purposes when they should have been at one. |