释义 |
char·ley noun or char·lie \ˈchärlē, -ȧlē, -li\ (-s) Usage: often capitalized Etymology: diminutive of Charles, proper name 1. [perhaps after Charles I died 1649 king of England, who in 1640 improved the watchman system in London] slang : night watchman 2. [after Charles I, who wore such a beard] : a short pointed beard 3. : a usually black-faced or toothbrush-mustached clown whose forte is lugubrious pathos 4. [perhaps after Charlie Chan, fictional Chin. detective created by Earl Derr Biggers died 1933 American novelist] : an Oriental person |