| 释义 |
ˈduckling
[f. duck n.1 + -ling, dim. suffix.]
A young duck.
ugly duckling, the cygnet, in one of Hans Andersen's tales, hatched with a brood of ducklings, and despised for its clumsiness until it grew into a swan. Hence the unpromising child in a family who turns out the most brilliant of all.
c1440Promp. Parv. 125/2 Dookelynge (P. birde), anatinus. c1532G. Du Wes Introd. Fr. in Palsgr. 912 The ducklyns, les annetons. 1601Holland Pliny I. 299 It is sport alone to see the maner of an hen that hath sitten vpon ducks egs..how at the first she will wonder to haue a teem of ducklings about her. c1709Prior Widow & Cat 14 Nor chick, nor duckling, 'scapes, when Grim Invites the fox to dinner. 1869Dulcken tr. Andersen's Little Match Girl 45, Ugly Duckling, I never dreamed of so much happiness when I was still the ugly Duckling! 1883J. H. Ingram in Harper's Mag. July 226/2 The mother's fears about her ‘ugly duckling’..took another turn.
†b. A term of endearment. Obs.
1629Massinger Picture ii. i, Thy dear, thy dainty duckling, bold Mathias. 1716Addison Drummer (T.), But hark you, duckling; be sure you do not tell him that I am let into the secret.
Hence ˈducklingship, the state of a duckling.
1830Fraser's Mag. I. 740 Ducks, whether..full grown, or in the tender state of ducklingship. |