| 释义 |
spontaneously, adv.|spɒnˈteɪnɪəslɪ|
[f. prec. + -ly.]
In a spontaneous manner.
1. By natural impulse; of a free and unconstrained will; of one's own accord.
1660R. Coke Justice Vind. 7 Therefore Children..have will, and do things spontaneously. 1670G. H. Hist. Cardinals iii. ii. 266 Considering the offers many had spontaniously made him. 1751Johnson Rambler No. 175 ⁋10 He who is spontaneously suspicious, may be justly charged with radical corruption. 1794R. J. Sulivan View Nat. I. 130 For what is power or energy? Is it not a disposition to act, either spontaneously, or in consequence of some impression? 1809Syd. Smith Wks. (1859) I. 161/2 Monk spontaneously sent down some confidential letters, which turned the scale of evidence. 1856Dove Logic Chr. Faith i. §2. 37 This is correct so long as the mind acts..spontaneously. 1877Brockett Cross & Crescent 456 The Sublime Porte spontaneously informed the prince..that it would spare no effort [etc.].
b. Without thought or premeditation.
1800S. & Ht. Lee Canterb. T. (ed. 2) III. 167 [The apology] sprang spontaneously to his lips. 1831D. E. Williams Life & Corr. Sir T. Lawrence II. 383 In his letters, his opinions and sentiments are poured forth warmly and spontaneously as they arose. 1870J. H. Newman Gram. Assent ii. viii. 331 Taste, skill, invention in the fine arts..are exerted spontaneously, when once acquired.
2. By natural action; without apparent or obvious external cause or influence.
1658Evelyn Fr. Gard. (1675) 85 The unripe figs,..if they stay till they spontaneously quit the trees [etc.]. 1664Power Exp. Philos. ii. 143 You shall see the water spontaneously arise..in the Tube. 1764Reid Inquiry vi. §24 Truth goes forth spontaneously if not held back. 1776Adam Smith W.N. ii. v. (1869) I. 364 If [the capital] was produced spontaneously, it would be of no value in exchange. a1806Horsley Serm. xvii. (1816) II. 68 As the inquiry is of the highest importance, and spontaneously presents itself, it is to this that I shall devote the remainder of the present discourse. 1825J. Neal Bro. Jonathan III. 188 A great bell..far below me, rang out, spontaneously, of itself. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 206 If only wisdom can be taught, and does not come to man spontaneously.
b. spec. By natural chemical or physical change or development.
1771Encycl. Brit. II. 120/1 Some earths and stones abound so with nitre, that it effloresces spontaneously. 1794G. Adams Nat. & Exp. Philos. I. xii. 501 It takes fire spontaneously by the contact of air. 1804Abernethy Surg. Obs. 91 It is no uncommon circumstance to meet with wens, that have burst spontaneously. 1837P. Keith Bot. Lex. 35 The nascent bulbs, which..spontaneously detach themselves from the parent plant. 1878Huxley Physiogr. xv. 251 In other cases the coral animal spontaneously splits in two halves. 1892Photogr. Ann. II. 517 This remarkable group of crystals was produced..quite spontaneously.
3. By natural growth; without being specially planted or cultivated.
a1682Sir T. Browne Tracts (1683) 52 This same plant may grow naturally and spontaneously in several countries. 1733W. Ellis Chiltern & Vale Farm. 84 Young Oaks..that spontaneously grow up from the Acorns. 1765Museum Rust. IV. 242 Common hay which is mixed with burnet growing spontaneously. 1836Macgillivray Trav. Humboldt xxv. 384 It is supposed by botanists that it grows spontaneously in the mountainous regions.
b. By natural production; without tillage.
1700Evelyn Diary 13 July, Some foreign country which would produce spontaneously pines, firs,..yew, holly, and juniper. 1748Anson's Voy. i. v. (ed. 4) 61 The soil of the Island is truly luxuriant, producing fruits of most kinds spontaneously. 1830Herschel Study Nat. Philos. 2 The coarse aliments which the earth affords spontaneously. |