| 释义 |
decorous, a.|dəˈkɔərəs, ˈdɛkərəs|
[In form ad. late L. decorōs-us elegant, beautiful (It. decoroso decorous, decent), f. decus, decor-: see decorate; but in sense corresp. to L. decōr-us becoming, seemly, fitting, proper, f. decor, decōr-em becomingness, f. decēre to become, befit. In harmony with this Johnson, Walker, and Smart 1849 pronounce deˈcōrous. Bailey 1730 and Perry 1805 have ˈdecŏrous; Craig 1847 and later dictionaries record both. The word is not very frequent colloquially.]
†1. Seemly, suitable, appropriate. Obs.
1664H. More Myst. Iniq. 225 That decorous embellishment in the external Cortex of the Prophecy [is] punctually observed. 1680― Apocal. Apoc. 75 So decorous is the representation. 1691Ray Creation i. (1704) 57 It is not so decorous with respect to God, that he should immediately do all the meanest and triflingest things himself, without any inferiour or subordinate minister.
2. Characterized by decorum or outward conformity to the recognized standard of propriety and good taste in manners, behaviour, etc.
[1673Rules of Civility 144 It is not decorous to look in the Glass, to comb, brush, or do any thing of that nature to ourselves, whilst the said person be in the Room.] 1792V. Knox Serm. ix. (R.), Individuals, who support a decorous character. 1795Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 291 Their language..is cool, decorous, and conciliatory. 1821Byron Vis. Judgm. xcv, Some grumbling voice, Which now and then will make a slight inroad Upon decorous silence. 1858Hawthorne Fr. & It. Jrnls. I. 293 Washington, the most decorous and respectable personage that ever went ceremoniously through the realities of life. 1874Helps Soc. Press. iii. 40 In a great city everything has to be made outwardly decorous.
b. Of language: Exemplifying propriety of diction.
1873Lowell Among my Bks. Ser. ii. 224 A treatise of permanent value for philosophic statement and decorous English.
¶ Explained in the sense of L. decorōsus.
1727Bailey vol. II, De′corous, Decoro′se, fair and lovely, beautiful, graceful, comely. |