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单词 half-measure
释义

half-measuren.

Brit. /ˌhɑːfˈmɛʒə/, /ˈhɑːfˌmɛʒə/, U.S. /ˌhæfˈmɛʒər/, /ˈhæfˌmɛʒər/
Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: half adj., measure n.
Etymology: < half adj. + measure n.
1. Half of a standard measure or quantity of something. Now typically with reference to measures of alcoholic drinks, esp. in the mixing of cocktails.
Π
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes i. f. 18 (margin) Hemina was the half measure of Sextarius..so that Sextarius was lesse then our quart and Hemina lesse then our pynte.
1679 W. Winstanley Country-man's Guide 92 An half Measure of Barley.
1786 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 76 152 To a measure of phosphoric air I let up a half measure of nitrous air.
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 163/2 This shell-fish is bought by the measure (a double peck or gallon), half-measure, or wash. A wash is four measures.
1918 J. Joyce Exiles i. 45 I will take just a half measure of that whisky, Richard, to show you there is no ill feeling.
2011 J. Deaver Carte Blanche xviii. 116 Bond decided on a cocktail. ‘Crown Royal, on ice, a double, please. Add a half-measure of triple sec, two dashes of bitters and a twist of orange peel.’
2. An action or policy that is not forceful, decisive, or comprehensive enough to meet the requirements of the situation or achieve a successful outcome; a partial or ineffective measure. Frequently in plural, often in negative contexts, e.g. in no half-measures.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > [noun] > irresolute plan or measure
irresolve1769
half-measure1798
1775 J. Shebbeare Answer to Queries in Let. 114 Half measures destroy the best designs.
1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake II. i. 4 Who would have advised some sort of compromise, pacifying half-measure.
1881 E. A. Freeman Sketch Subj. Lands Venice 380 We feel how vain is the dream of those who think that this or that half-measure has solved it.
1921 Spectator 12 Mar. 333 Holland never dealt in half-measures; the placating whitey-grey argument or studiously reasoned compromise was to him anathema.
1975 Jackie 15 Feb. 2/1 Once we get an idea into our heads we tend to go all the way with it—no half measures—which is the case with this issue!
2011 Economist 16 July 44/2 Leaders have acted only in the face of impending disaster, and then with half-measures.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2022).
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更新时间:2024/12/24 9:55:26