| 释义 |
diplomatic, a. and n.|dɪpləʊˈmætɪk|
Also 8–9 -ique, -ick.
[ad. mod.L. diplōmatic-us (Mabillon, 1681, De re diplomatica), f. Gr. διπλωµατ-: see diploma and -ic. In senses 2, 3, a. F. diplomatique (1788 in Hatz.-Darm.).
The transition from sense 1 to sense 3 appears to have originated in the titles of the Codex Juris Gentium Diplomaticus of Leibnitz 1695, containing original texts of important public documents from the 11th to 15th c., and the Corps universel diplomatique du Droit des gens of Dumont, historiographer to the Emperor, 1726, containing the original texts of ‘the treaties of Alliance, of Peace, and of Commerce, from the Peace of Munster to1709’. In these titles (as in the Codex Diplomaticus ævi Saxonici of Kemble), diplomaticus, diplomatique, had its original meaning (sense 1 below) as applying to a body or collection of original official documents. But as the subject-matter of these particular collections was international relations, ‘corps diplomatique’ appears to have been treated as equivalent to ‘corps du droit des gens’, and diplomatique taken as ‘having to do with international relations’. The transition is shown in sense 2, which refers to documents connected with international relations, while in the fully developed sense 3 the connexion with documents disappears. This sense became established in English at the time of the French Revolution, and its French origin comes out emphatically in the writings of Burke on French affairs.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to official or original documents, charters, or manuscripts; textual.
diplomatic copy, diplomatic edition, an exact reproduction of an original.
1711T. Madox Hist. Exchequer p. ix, The diplomatick or law word Charta was not received amongst the Anglo-Saxons. 1780Von Troil Iceland 295 A diplomatic description was not so much required in that letter, as I had directed my attention more to the contents of the book than its external appearance. 1784Astle Origin & Progr. of Writing Introd. 2 Diplomatic science, the knowledge of which will enable us to form a proper judgement of the age and authenticity of manuscripts, charters, records, and other monuments of antiquity. 1812W. Taylor in Monthly Rev. LXVII. 71 The historical part of this volume; to which a diplomatic appendix of thirty-three several documents..and a copious index are attached. 1846Trench Mirac. (1889) 267 The last clause of the verse..has not the same amount of diplomatic evidence against it. 1861Scrivener Introd. Crit. N.T. iii. 376 Designated by Professor Ellicott ‘paradiplomatic evidence’..as distinguished from the ‘diplomatic’ testimony of codices, versions, etc. 1874H. R. Reynolds John Bapt. ii. 70 There is..not a shadow of diplomatic doubt thrown over the integrity of the third gospel.
2. Of the nature of official papers connected with international relations.
1780Hist. Europe in Ann. Reg. 18/1 These were followed, at due intervals, and according to all the established rules of form, by measured and regular discharge of the diplomatique artillery on all sides [i.e. manifestos and proclamations by the French and Spanish governments].
3. Of, pertaining to, or concerned with the management of international relations; of or belonging to diplomacy. diplomatic bag, one containing the official mail of members of the diplomatic body; cf. bag n. 7 b; diplomatic body, diplomatic corps (F. corps diplomatique), the body of ambassadors, envoys, and officials attached to the foreign legations at any seat of government; diplomatic immunity, the exemption from arrest, taxation, searches, etc., granted under international law to diplomatic personnel, their families and staff, when staying in a foreign country; diplomatic service, that branch of the public service which is concerned with foreign legations.
1787Hist. Europe in Ann. Reg. 175 Employed there in civil, diplomatique, and mercantile affairs. 1790Burke Fr. Rev. Wks. V. 32 Members of the diplomatick body. 1791― Th. Fr. Affairs Wks. VII. 63 The Prussian ministers in foreign courts have talked the most democratic language..The whole corps diplomatique, with very few exceptions, leans that way. 1796― Regic. Peace i. Wks. VIII. 114 A pacification such as France (the diplomatick name of the regicide power) would be willing to propose. 1813N. Carlisle Topogr. Dict. Scot. II. s.v. Preston Pans, Sir Robert Murray Keith..well known for his diplomatique talents. 1815Wellington in Gurw. Desp. XII. 310 It would introduce him into the diplomatic line. 1840Carlyle Heroes iii. (ed. 1858) 244 Petrarch and Boccaccio did diplomatic messages..quite well. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 246 He had passed several years in diplomatic posts abroad. 1860Motley Netherl. (1868) I. i. 18 Diplomatic relations..were not entrusted to the Council. 1868E. Edwards Raleigh I. xxv. 587 The English statesman..was not a match for the Spaniard in diplomatic craft. 1877Encycl. Brit. VII. 251/2 The ancient world had its treaties and leagues, but no systematic diplomatic relations. 1889John Bull 2 Mar. 149/2 The members of the Diplomatic Corps. 1911Encycl. Brit. VIII. 299/2 In certain cases..the ex-territoriality of ambassadors implies a fairly extensive criminal jurisdiction; in other cases the dismissal of the servant would deprive him of his diplomatic immunity and bring him under the law of the land. 1936M. Ogdon (title) Juridical bases of diplomatic immunity. 1956N. & Q. July 277 These papers were returned to Commander Bulloch via the United States Diplomatic Bag in January of 1895. 1970R. G. Feltham Diplomatic Handbk. v. 52 The diplomatic bag is a sealed bag or container clearly marked as such and containing official documents and articles for official use, which a head of mission is entitled to receive and dispatch without it being interfered with. 1971J. Sangster Your Friendly Neighbourhood Death Pedlar ii. 43 Do you need traveller's cheques,..a gun permit, diplomatic immunity?
4. Skilled in the art of diplomacy; showing address in negotiations or intercourse of any kind.
1826Disraeli Viv. Grey iv. iii, Treachery and cowardice, doled out with diplomatic politesse. 1837Hale In His Name x, Gabrielle's busy, active, diplomatic managing of the party. 1862Maurice Mor. & Met. Philos. IV. viii. §6. 440 Cautious and reserved yet not diplomatic in his intercourse with men. 1877Encycl. Brit. VII. 251/1 Conduct which is wily and subtle, without being directly false or fraudulent, is styled ‘diplomatic’.
B. n.
1. A diplomatic agent; = diplomatist.
1791Paine Rights of Man (ed. 4) 93 Dr. Franklin..was not the diplomatic of a Court, but of Man. 1836Marryat Midsh. Easy II. ix. 238 It would soon be all in his favour when it was known that he was a diplomatic.
2. The diplomatic art, diplomacy. Also in pl. diplomatics, and † in L. form diplomatica (obs.).
1794Burke App. Pref. Brissot's Addr. Wks. VII. 343 Cambon, incapable of political calculation, boasting his ignorance in the diplomatick. 1796State Papers in Ann. Reg. 198 Truth and justice are the only basis of their diplomatica. 1803W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. I. 356 Our ministers are not great in diplomatics.
3. ‘The science of diplomas, or of ancient writings, literary and public documents, letters, decrees, charters, codicils, etc., which has for its object to decipher old writings, to ascertain their authenticity, their date, signatures, etc.’ (Webster, 1828). Also in pl.
[1681Mabillon (title), De Re Diplomatica.] 1803–19A. Rees Cycl. (L.), The science of diplomatics owes its origin to a Jesuit of Antwerp named Papebroch. 1819Pantologia s.v., The celebrated Treatise on the Diplomatic by F. Mabillon. 1838J. G. Dowling Eccl. Hist. iii. §i. 125 It was written..when Diplomatic..did not exist as a science. 1846Johnston tr. Beckmann's Hist. Inv. (ed. 4) I. 140 A seal of blue wax, not coloured blue merely on the outer surface, would be as great a rarity in the arts as in diplomatics. 1894Oxf. Univ. Gaz. XXIV. 412/1 Medieval Latin palaeography and diplomatic.
▸ diplomatic pouch n. = diplomatic bag at A. 3; cf. pouch n. 1f.
1914Newport (Rhode Island) Daily News 10 Dec. 4/5 Mr. Cochran left London several days ago with the *diplomatic pouches. 1996Economist 20 July 40/2 Denmark's bare-it-all ombudsman..says that the contents of Danish diplomatic pouches should be even more open to the public. |