| 释义 |
docile, a.|ˈdəʊsaɪl, ˈdɒsɪl|
[a. F. docile (16th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), ad. L. docilis easily taught, f. docēre to teach.]
1. Apt to be taught; ready and willing to receive instruction; teachable.
1483Caxton Gold. Leg. 71 b/2 Gyue to me thy seruaunt a herte docyle. 1585Jas. I. Ess. Poesie (Arb.) 54 The cause why (docile Reader) I haue not dedicat this short treatise, [etc.]. 1616B. Jonson tr. Horace Art Poetrie Wks. (Rtldg.) 735/2 The docile mind may soone thy precepts know. 1629Donne Serm. Matt. vi. 21 A parrot, or a stare, docile birds, and of pregnant imitation. 1751Johnson Rambler No. 147 ⁋3 Flattering comparisons of my own proficiency with that of others..less docile by nature. 1845S. Austin Ranke's Hist. Ref. III. 495 His docile and intelligent pupil.
b. Submissive to training; tractable, manageable.
1774Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) III. 21 The bison breed is also more expert and docile than ours. 1835Ure Philos. Manuf. 150 This..work..is now discharged by young children..substituting cheap and docile labour for what is dear, and sometimes refractory. 1891E. Peacock N. Brendon II. 78 The docile wife would obey without a murmur.
c. Const. to, or inf. rare.
1647R. Stapylton Juvenal xiv. 255 To fall Into foule vices we are docill all. 1718Prior Solomon iii. 478 Soon docile to the secret acts of ill With smiles I would betray. 1862Carlyle Fredk. Gt. (1865) III. ix. i. 69, I am docile to follow your advice.
2. transf. of things: Yielding readily to treatment; easily managed or dealt with; tractable.
1795tr. Rapin's Gardens 278 Docil Cypresses, dispos'd with ease, Take whatever handsome form you please. 1881P. Brooks Candle of Lord 1 The docile wax acknowledges that the subtle flame is its master. 1884L. Hamilton Mexican Handbk. 95 The ores are docile and contain ruby-silver and sub-sulphides.
Hence ˈdocilely adv.
1868Lockyer Guillemin's Heavens (ed. 3) 40 The Sun..now tells his own story..so docilely. 1876T. Hardy Ethelberta (1890) 42 ‘Thank you’, said Picotee, docilely. |