| 释义 |
dignitary, n. (a.)|ˈdɪgnɪtərɪ|
Also 7 -ory.
[f. L. dignitās or Eng. dignity + -ary: cf., for the sense, prebendary, for the form, L. voluntārius voluntary, from voluntās: so F. dignitaire n. (1752 in Trévoux).]
A. n. One invested with a dignity; a personage holding high rank or office, esp. ecclesiastical.
1672–3Marvell Reh. Transp. i. 282 There was a gentleman of your robe, a Dignitory of Lincoln. a1745Swift (J.), If there be any dignitaries, who preferments are..not liable to the accusation of the superfluity. 1756–7tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760) I. 15 Princes, bishops, counts, rich dignitaries, abbots. 1815W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 248 A very high ecclesiastical dignitary. 1836Irving Astoria I. 100 The captain..paid a visit to the governor. This dignitary proved to be an old sailor, by the name of John Young. 1851D. Wilson Preh. Ann. (1863) II. iv. ii. 266 It represents three dignitaries, probably priests.
B. adj. Of, belonging to, or invested with a dignity (esp. ecclesiastical).
1715M. Davies Ath. Brit. I. 163 The most eminent Dignitary Churchmen. 1733Neal Hist. Purit. II. 148 They complimented the Roman Catholick priests with their dignitary titles. |