| 释义 |
nimbleadj.adv.n. Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: nim v., -le suffix 1. Etymology: < nim v. + -le suffix 1. The Old English evidence is, however, very scanty, and the word only becomes common after the original sense had been obscured. Perhaps compare German regional (Low German) nümig alert, reasonable, prudent.The δ. and ε. forms show epenthetic -b- ; compare bramble n.1, mumble v., thimble n. N.E.D. also records a 19th-cent. form nummle marked ‘dial.’; however, supporting evidence is not provided, and the form may be an error for English regional nimmle. A. adj.the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > [adjective] α. OE (1966) 51 Capax, qui multum capit, intellegens, andgetul, gripul, numul. OE Ælfric (St. John's Oxf.) 69 Capax, numol [c1225 Worcester nimel], oððe, gefyndig. α. OE tr. Pseudo-Apuleius (Vitell.) (1984) cxxx. 168 Swa se læcedom yldra byþ swa he scearpnumulra & halwendra byþ. OE tr. Chrodegang of Metz (Corpus Cambr. 191) lx. 295 Swa swa deaðes geferan, swa forfleoh þu þæt numele win [L. ut mortis socium, sic mordax effuge uinum]. 3. Quick and light in movement or action; agile; active. the world > movement > bodily movement > [adjective] > qualities of bodily movement > agile or nimble β. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) 21528 (MED) Of he kest al to his serk, To mak him nemel [a1400 Fairf. nemil] til his werk. c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) 1065 Þar was na man so nemyll þat him hit couthe. c1450 Treat. Fishing in J. McDonald et al. (1963) 151 (MED) Make yow a rode..and hyt byl [read wyl] be lyȝt & nemyll [1496 nymbyll] to fysche with. c1475 (a1449) J. Lydgate Order of Fools (Laud) in (1934) ii. 453 A bicche, Nemel of mouth for to mordre an hare. c1503 (Pynson) sig. G.iiv Syr beuys was bothe nemble and wyght And start away from his dynt. 1535 Wisd. vii. 24 For wiszdome is neembler then all neemble thinges. 1570 P. Levens sig. Rii/2 Neamble, agilis. 1828 W. Carr (ed. 2) (at cited word) As neamle as a cat on a haat backstone. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessel with reference to qualities or attributes > [adjective] > easily managed > and fast 1588 Exhort. Faithful Subjects in (1800) II. 100 Look to the amending and new building of ships. Make them strong, light, and nimble for the battle. 1627 J. Smith ix. 43 Shee is a nimble ship that in..tacking about will not fall to the Lee-ward of her wake. 1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden 77 Antiochus should surrender his long ships..; and not have more than ten nimble Gallies. 1704 No. 4001/3 The Enemy being a more nimble Sailer, got away from her. 1734 tr. C. Rollin I. 197 As the Roman galleys..were neither very nimble, nor easy to work. 1856 Mar. 451 She would have as little chance of shooting swallows with her long guns, as these nimble gun-boats. 1928 D. H. Lawrence xvi. 286 Hilda arrived in good time on Thursday morning, in a nimble two-seater car. 1989 Dec. 59/3 The nimble and utterly utilitarian Crosby catboat came to signify speed, longevity, and practicality. 1992 Feb. 7/2 (advt.) Our minivan is as nimble and graceful to drive as a much smaller vehicle. 1589 G. Puttenham iii. xxiv. 248 I haue seene him runne vp a paire of staires so swift and nimble a pace. 1627 W. Duncomb tr. V. d'Audiguier iii. 53 With his nimble strength..[he] lifted them both up from the ground. 1667 J. Milton vi. 73 The passive Air upbore Thir nimble tread. View more context for this quotation 1681 T. A. 30 I believe the nimble Confession of Nathaniel..was better approved of by Christ, than the..deliberate advances of Judicious Nichodemus. 1728 A. Pope i. 169 As clocks to weight their nimble motion owe. 1794 W. Cowper 20 Proceeding with his nimblest pace. 1847 C. Brontë I. iv. 58 Mrs. Reed looked up from her work; her eye settled on mine, her fingers at the same time suspended their nimble movements. 1899 G. Age 173 In a moment or two he saw that the Physical Wreck was unable to Lead, so he did some nimble Foot Work. 1946 M. Peake 390 He had made so rapid and nimble a detour of the stone table that he surprised Steerpike, appearing with such inexpectation beneath the boy's nose. 1990 May 24/1 The nimble pace and roulades of Rossini will be within his scope. †4. the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adjective] > prompt to act the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > [adjective] > moving swiftly and briskly β. a1547 J. Redford (1848) 8 Now am I nemble To make them tremble. the world > matter > chemistry > chemical properties > [adjective] > of or relating to miscellaneous other properties 1671 W. Salmon iii. x. 345 You may give nimble purging Physick. 1683 T. Robinson in J. Ray (1848) 138 [Volatile alkalies] destroy those nimble acids. 1744 J. Paterson 288 Nimble mercury or quicksilver dissolved. the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adjective] 1707 J. Mortimer (1721) II. 332 This is said..to contribute much towards the nimble Precipitation of the Fæces. 5. the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective] > of mind, mental operations: sharp 1589 J. Lyly E ij b If thy vaine bee so pleasant, and thy witt so nimble, that all consists in glicks and girds. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy vii. xiv. 258 Having a subtle wit and nimble head. 1638 F. Junius 62 Invited and drawne on by..their nimble Imaginations. 1665 R. Boyle Disc. iii. ii, in sig. C8 The faculties of the mind..grow thereby the more vigorous and nimble. 1701 W. Wotton 270 He was a man of very nimble and dextrous parts. 1839 Ld. Brougham 2nd Ser. 58 A subtlety so nimble, that it materially impaired the strength of his other qualities. 1885 7 Feb. 5/5 The less nimble wits and the less educated intellects. 1924 P. G. Wodehouse 256 To be at home with these Bohemian revels, a man has to have a nimble wit. 1959 308/2 A speech, a lecture, he learned to produce on time, but with far more labour than most men of his nimble intelligence would have found necessary. 1987 P. Auster (1988) 38 My mind is not quite what it used to be. It is slower now, sluggish and less nimble. the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] > ingenious > characterized by ingenuity 1602 W. Fulbecke 1 A briefe definition and verie nimble, if it be nimbly vnderstood. 1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes iii. i. 50 in II I do admire this nimble ingine, Picklock. 1751 S. Johnson No. 95. ⁋2 I was..initiated in a thousand low stratagems, nimble shifts, and sly concealments. 1868 G. R. Kinloch 29 (Eng. Dial. Dict.) For the nimble trick to the Friar she play'd. 1993 6 Sept. 20/3 In a nimble bit of damage control, NASA chief Daniel Goldin named outside experts to figure out what made the Mars craft vanish. the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective] 1604 T. Wright (new ed.) Pref. The Italians..become very nimble in the managing all affaires. 1645 J. Howell vi. iii. 7 There was there for the Queen Gilpin, as nimble a man as Suderman. 1851 T. Carlyle ii. v. 201 Every way a very human, lovable, good and nimble man. 1893 H. P. Liddon et al. I. 361 Whateley, indeed, was a nimble dialectician. 1931 O. Nash Let. 8 Jan. in (1990) 142 Did you know that you were loved by a foolish, nimble and entertaining versifier? 1960 J. Barth iii. ii. 519 Why then perchance I'll come upon you sack a sack as did Catullus on the lovers, and like that nimble poet pin you to your work. 1986 Nov. 50/1 Self's return to the ICA was a long, loud told-you-so. He proved he can be as nimble as anyone and beholden to none. 6. society > trade and finance > [noun] > turning over in course of trade > swift return 1801 M. L. Weems Let. in (1929) II. 167 But the Scotch Merchants..will tell you that there's nothing like the nimble ninepence. 1801 M. L. Weems Let. in (1929) II. 177 You have no idea of the Nimble Shilling. 1851 H. Mayhew II. 233/1 The ‘nimble ninepence’ being considered ‘better than the slow shilling’. 1860 R. W. Emerson Wealth in (London ed.) 90 The farmer's dollar is heavy, and the clerk's is light and nimble. 1876 Aug. 417 She will take out paper to America, and bring back raw cotton... She goes for the nimble shilling. 1883 June 94/2 He often sold his purchase on the road, for the nimble shilling tempted him. 1894 J. D. Astley II. 68 Not a bad instance of the nimble ninepence. 1933 L. I. Wilder xxviii. 218 Mr Case sold his goods cheaper than the other merchants. Mr Case said, ‘I'd rather have a nimble sixpence than a slow shilling.’ 1918 32 500 The nimble land speculator, turning his land over at short intervals avoids all these taxes. 1960 70 724 A policy of stabilising bank deposits and waiting for the expanding volume of payments to force interest rates upward, while intuitive central bankers try to be nimble in ‘following the market’, is not enough. 1975 (Nexis) 15 Sept. 83 Transforming itself from a small, nimble operation on the fringes of the industry to a big one able to compete with the giants. 1989 Feb. 34/2 Young has been fortunate to possess the ideal fund manager's recipe for 1988—small nimble funds investing in Far Eastern stock markets. 1999 1 Nov. (Mastering Strategy Suppl.) 14/4 Companies have to stay nimble to take advantage of the next shift in the market. B. adv.the world > movement > bodily movement > [adverb] > agilely or nimbly the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > [adverb] > swiftly and briskly 1568 in J. Cranstoun (1891) I. xlviii. 44 Bayth thik and nymill gais the spwle. 1609 W. Shakespeare cxxviii. sig. H3v Those Iackes that nimble leape, To kisse the tender inward of thy hand. View more context for this quotation 1631 J. Mabbe tr. F. de Rojas 196 That I may runne away the nimbler. 1683 J. Moxon II. 283 That they may all perform their several offices the easier, lightlier, and nimbler. 1768 H. Brooke (Dublin ed.) III. xvi. 191 I turned nimble upon him. 1769 H. Brooke IV. xvii. 10 I turned much nimbler back again. †C. n.the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > digit > finger > [noun] a1637 B. Jonson Masque of Gypsies 54 in tr. Horace (1640) Lay by..using your nimbles In diving the Pockets. Compounds C1. (In sense B.) the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > [adjective] > moving swiftly and briskly a1676 W. Denny Shepherd's Holiday in (1870) 167 At last our nimble-moving feet do gain This grove. 1777 R. Potter tr. Æschylus Prometheus Chain'd in tr. Æschylus 21 With light foot now this nimble-moving seat..I leave. the world > movement > bodily movement > [adjective] > qualities of bodily movement > agile or nimble 1591 E. Spenser Teares of Muses in 34 The joyous Nymphes..Did learne to move their nimble-shifting feete. 1772 S. Whyte 331 A joyous Throng; Who sung,..Lays of sweet Love, and danc'd with nimble shifting Feet. 1916 C. M. Doughty v. 115 With nimble shifting shanks, to trimly tread. the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [adjective] > having specific manner of walking > light-footed 1832 C. Webbe 49 Her nimble-stepping feet, The very ground loves their light sound. 1845 C. Norton 158 Thou supple-limbed and nimble-stepping slave. 1986 (Nexis) 7 Aug. f3 Peter Ottmann's nimble-stepping soldier handles words even more comfortably than did his predecessor. C2. (In sense A.) the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective] 1836–48 B. D. Walsh tr. Aristophanes i. iv Subtle disputes with nimble-brained men. 1640 J. Cruso sig. 2 How nimble-ear'd! and with what piercing sight He could discern advantage! the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > types of vision > [adjective] > clear- or sharp-sighted 1605 J. Marston I. i. sig. B1 A pretty nimble eyd Dutch Tanakin. 1628 O. Felltham xxi. sig. M3 His malice makes him nimble-eyed. 1987 J. Hall Gas in S. Ravenel (1988) 166 ‘Hi,’ Milton said, standing on the sidewalk, looking too young and..nimble-eyed to be the vice president of a bank. 1611 T. Heywood i. sig. B4v The last, not least, this vse of Archery, The stringed, bow, and nimble-fethered-shaft. 1645 23 If the Souldier be quickshod with this mettal, its incredible how ayrie his spirits be, and how nimble-handed he will be to every enterprize. 1680 C. Darby 3 Could some nimble-handed Scribe have writ All that was said. 1852 R. S. Surtees xi. lix. 340 A nimble-handed mugger or tramp might have carried off whatever he liked. 2001 (Nexis) 15 Aug. 22 Five nimble-handed youngsters will go head-to-head, bisuit-to-biscuit for the title of supreme cookie stacker. the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective] 1601 in H. Foley (1880) VI. 733 Balwynne is a nimble-headed sifter. 1624 T. Gataker 80 This nimble-headed Doctor wanteth not an evasion for it. the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [adjective] > having specific manner of walking > light-footed the mind > emotion > fear > cowardice or pusillanimity > [adjective] 1656 T. Blount Celeripedean, swift footed, nimble heel'd. 1719 in T. D'Urfey V. 7 Such nimble Heel'd Witnesses never were known. 1864 W. J. Courthope iii. 25 Leave the jingle of glasses and nimble-heeled lasses. the world > movement > bodily movement > [adjective] > qualities of bodily movement > agile or nimble 1591 E. Spenser Muiopotmos in sig. V Being nimbler ioynted than the rest. the mind > language > speech > loquacity or talkativeness > [adjective] 1836–48 B. D. Walsh tr. Aristophanes 176 (note) Before thy nimble-mouthed tongue-grievousness. 1599 W. Shakespeare ii. iv. 7 Therefore do nimble piniond doues draw loue. View more context for this quotation the world > movement > bodily movement > [adjective] > qualities of bodily movement > agile or nimble 1611 L. Barry iii. i A nimble spirited knaue, the villaine boy, Has one tricke of his sier. 1930 E. Blunden 310 The girls are quicker, more nimble-throated. the mind > language > speech > loquacity or talkativeness > [adjective] the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > irritability > irritable [adjective] > snappish or sharp-tongued 1608 T. Dekker sig. B3v An old nymble-tongd beldam. 1951 1 ii. 165 She [sc. Mrs. Behn]..is nimble-tongued indeed at the expense of a military fop who was ready to damn her play. the world > life > the body > digestive or excretive organs > digestive organs > mouth > types or spec. teeth > [adjective] > sharp or strong 1850 C. Matthews viii. 117 Cropping their way like a nimble-toothed flock of grazing sheep. 1860 A. Wynter 138 The grating..is eaten through by this nimble-toothed burglar. 1603 J. Davies 159 For Eares should solac'd be, aswell as Eyes, With the melodious nimble-winged Quiers. 1812 G. Dyer I. 125 Where you, my friend, some nimble-winged thing, That could with eagle speed extend your flight. 1960 S. Plath 37 Each thumb-size bird Flits nimble-winged in thickets. C3. (In sense A.) 1863 C. Kingsley viii. 316 The hugest and softest nimblecomequick turnip you ever saw. 1887 W. D. Parish & W. F. Shaw 107 Nimble Dick, a species of horse fly or gadfly, differing somewhat from the Brims. society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > legerdemain, etc. > [noun] > juggler or conjurer 1781 C. Johnstone II. 158 Here you, master nimble-fingers!.. Let us have some of your tricks to divert us. the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [noun] > one who escapes > one who evades 1682 J. Bunyan 387 Mr. Unbelief was a nimble Jack, him they could never lay hold of. View more context for this quotation the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Lacertilia (lizards) > [noun] > family Lacertidae > genus Lacerta > lacerta vivipara (common lizard) 1838 T. Bell 17 Viviparous Lizard. Nimble Lizard. Common Lizard. Zootoca vivipara. 1878 27 13 These [embryos] were of four kinds, namely, of the common snake, the blind worm, the nimble lizard, and the gecko. the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > foolishness, folly > be or become foolish [verb (intransitive)] > act foolishly 1927 D. H. Lawrence Let. 6 Feb. in E. Brewster & A. Brewster (1934) 115 I feel an infinite disgust at the idea of having to be there while the fools nimble-pimble at the dialogue. the world > animals > fish > class Osteichthyes or Teleostomi > order Siluriformes (catfish) > [noun] > family Siluridae > genus Silurus (sheat-fish) a1661 B. Holyday tr. Juvenal (1673) 69 The silurus being a vile fish,..I render it, for defect of a proper name for it with us, a nimble-tail. a1661 B. Holyday tr. Juvenal (1673) 255 With half a stinking nimble-tail. 1882 G. F. Jackson Nimble Tailor, the Long-tailed Tit-mouse. 1854 A. E. Baker II. 56 Nimble-tailors, a field-pea. a1903 T. P. Ferim in (1903) IV. 273/1 [Huntingdonshire] Nimble-tailor(s) [a variety of field-pea, Pisum sativum, var. arvense]. the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > a grass or grasses > non-British grasses > [noun] > North American 1816 D. Thomas Jrnl. 10 July in (1819) 168 He pointed out to me a grass, of which I had heard much, known through all the western country by the name of nimble Will. 1865 5 863 The Muhlenbergia diffusa, or Nimble Will, is a common grass, which is rather known as a troublesome weed. 1968 F. W. Gould 261 Typical of the eastern species [of the genus Muhlenbergia] is M. schreberi Gmel, Nimblewill..which ranges from the Atlantic Coast westward to Nebraska and Texas. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022). nimblev.Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: nimble adj. the world > movement > bodily movement > move the body or a member [verb (intransitive)] > move nimbly 1519 W. Horman xxxiii. f. 300 Cattes and dogges, whan they shal fall from hye, so nymbleth themself: that they wyl pitch vpon their fete. 1827 J. Clare 64 The squirrel..Who nimbles round from grain to grain. 1938 E. Bowen ii. ii. 191 She nimbled in with the tray. 1974 J. Dowell 134 The fawns staying near their mothers, nimbling about among the rocks on spindly legs. 1993 B. Neil (BNC) 83 A fat man alighted and, with the unexpected delicacy of the very fat, nimbled across the road. the world > life > the body > loose or stiff condition > [verb (transitive)] 1581 R. Mulcaster x. 58 Certaine preparatiues for nimbling, and spreding the vocall powers. 1581 R. Mulcaster xvi. 75 Me thinke it [sc. dancing] beseemeth children best, to enable, and nimble their iointes therby. 1650 J. Trapp (Gen. xlvi. 5) 352 His joynts oyled, and nimbled. Derivatives the world > movement > bodily movement > [adjective] > qualities of bodily movement > agile or nimble 1599 J. Marston (new ed.) iii. x. sig. H5v Torquatus, that nere op'd his lip But in prate..Of the nimbling [1598 nimble] tumbling Angelica. 1612 T. Taylor iii. 5 The priuate nimbling vp of the matter in corners by some Priest or Minister. 1651 in T. Fuller 46 Conserve with care, what ever is thine owne, Mischance sure footed comes like th' nimbling Hart. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022). <  adj.adv.n.OEv.1519 |
