| 释义 |
ir·regular
I. \(ˈ)i, ə, (ˈ)ir, (ˈ)iə+\ adjective
Etymology: Middle English irreguler, from Middle French, from Late Latin irregularis, from Latin in- in- (I) + Late Latin regularis regular — more at regular
1. of a person
a. Roman Catholicism : prevented by an impediment or bar from receiving or exercising clerical orders or offices
b. : behaving without regard to established laws, customs, or moral principles
< a wild irregular man in his youth >
c. : not belonging to or not having satisfied the requirements of some particular group or organized body
< an irregular physician >
2.
a. : failing to accord with what is usual, proper, accepted, or right
< irregular conduct >
: contrary to rule or custom
< some of his documents were irregular >
< although it was irregular we accepted the excuse >
b. of a word or inflection : not conforming to the normal or usual manner of inflection
< sell, cast, feed are irregular verbs >
specifically : strong 16a
c.
(1) : improper or inadequate because of failure to conform to a prescribed course
(2) of a marriage under Eng or Scots law : celebrated without either proclamation of the banns or publication of intention to marry : clandestine
d. : not belonging to the regular army organization but raised for a special purpose
< irregular troops are often used as independent commands to harass the enemy >
3.
a. : lacking perfect symmetry of form : not straight, smooth, even, regular
< a rough irregular terrain >
< a long irregular coastline >
< irregular teeth >
b. of a flower or its parts : lacking uniformity
< an irregular corolla >
specifically : zygomorphic
4.
a. : lacking continuity or regularity of occurrence, activity, or function
< irregular payments >
< irregular intervals >
< an irregular worker >
b. of a physiological function : failing to occur at regular or normal intervals
< irregular menstruation >
< have your bowels been irregular >
c. of an individual : failing to defecate at such intervals
< was constipated and very irregular >
d. of a market : characterized by individual price movements in both directions without establishment of an overall trend
< cotton futures were irregular >
II. noun
: one that is irregular: as
a. : a soldier (as a guerrilla or partisan) who is not a member of a regular military force — usually used in plural
b. irregulars plural : merchandise that has imperfections or that falls below the manufacturer's usual standard or specifications and is usually sold unbranded and at a concession in price — compare second II 4
III. adjective
Etymology: New Latin Irregularia
: exocyclic |