| 释义 |
delinquent, a. and n.|dɪˈlɪŋkwənt|
[ad. L. dēlinquent-em, pr. pple. of dēlinquĕre: see delinque and -ent. Caxton used a form in -aunt, a. F. délinquant, pr. pple. of délinquer.]
A. adj. Failing in, or neglectful of, a duty or obligation; defaulting; faulty; more generally, guilty of a misdeed or offence.
1603Holland Plutarch's Mor. 93 Having offended or being delinquent in any duetie. 1611Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. viii. (1632) 562 Whensoeuer one Prince is delinquent against another. a1640J. Ball Answ. to Can i. (1642) 26 The Ministerie may be lawfull, though in many particulars delinquent and deficient. 1709Sacheverell Serm. 15 Aug. 4 He stands delinquent. 1824W. Irving T. Trav. I. 276 A delinquent school-boy. 1891Daily News 5 Feb. 5/4 What are ‘delinquent parishes’?..parishes that have a provoking habit of neglecting to hand over the sums that are due from them on account of the relief of the poor.
b. transf. Of or pertaining to a delinquent.
1657Burton's Diary (1828) II. 129 A purchaser of this or any other delinquent lands. 1889Bruce Plant. Negro 218 Sold out by the public auctioneer for delinquent taxes.
B. n.
1. One who fails in duty or obligation, a defaulter; more generally, one guilty of an offence against the law, an offender.
1484Caxton Chivalry 34 To punysshe the trespacers and delynquaunts. 1605Shakes. Macb. iii. vi. 12 Did he not straight In pious rage, the two delinquents teare? 1638Baker tr. Balzac's Lett. (1654) II. ii. 61 When the Delinquent concurs in opinion with the judge. 1709Steele & Swift Tatler No. 74 ⁋10 Where Crimes are enormous, the Delinquent deserves little Pity. 1836H. Coleridge North. Worthies (1852) I. 50 Severe prosecution of delinquents. 1865Livingstone Zambesi xx. 410 This deliberation however gave the delinquents a chance of escape.
2. Eng. Hist. A name applied by the Parliamentary party to those who assisted Charles I or Charles II, by arms, money, or personal service, in levying war, 1642–1660.
The term was exhaustively defined by an Order of 27 March, 1643. As it practically included all Royalists, it became in common parlance almost synonymous with Cavalier.
1643Ordinance of Parlt. April 1 Preamb., That the estates of such notorious Delinquents, as have been the causes or Instruments of the publick calamities..should be converted and applyed towards the supportation of the great charges of the Commonwealth. c1643Ballad ‘A Mad World’ in The Rump i. (1662) 48 A Monster now Delinquent term'd He is declared to be, And that his lands, as well as goods, Sequestered ought to be. 1647Clarendon Hist. Reb. iii. (1702) I. 212 Hereupon, they [the Commons] call'd whom they pleased, Delinquents. 1648D. Jenkins Wks. 7 A Delinquent is he who adhears to the Kings Enemies; Com. Sur. Litil. 261. This shewes who are delinquents. 1670Moral State Eng. 21 The bleeding estates of unhappy delinquents. 1761–2Hume Hist. Eng. (1806) IV. liv. 169. |