| 释义 |
delope, v. Hist.|dɪˈləʊp|
[Of uncertain orgin; cf. lope v. and Du. loop barrel of a gun: revived by Georgette Heyer (1902–74), English historical novelist.]
intr. Of a duellist: to fire into the air, deliberately missing one's opponent.
1836Art of Duelling 47 Sometimes a man is placed in a situation when he considers it his duty to delope, (or fire in the air). 1868A. Steinmetz Romance of Duelling I. vi. 113 (as 1836). 1935G. Heyer Regency Buck x. 131 However much Mr. Farnaby might know himself to have been in the wrong, no dependence could be placed on his tacitly acknowledging it on the ground by deloping, or firing into the air. 1958― Venetia vi. 84 He added superb marksmanship to his other accomplishments, and might have put a bullet through me at double the range... In fact, he deloped—fired in the air! 1977Observer 20 Nov. 29/3 Both he and his opponent, Martynov, seemed about to delope, to fire into the air, when he remarked loudly: ‘I'm not going to fire at that fool.’ Enraged, Martynov..fired. Lermontov fell. 1980G. Wheeler Cato's War xi. 156 Twice I held my fire until they'd missed, then deloped—fired in the air—because the fools weren't worth the bullet. |