| 释义 |
▪ I. adapt, v.|əˈdæpt|
[a. Fr. adapte-r, ad. L. adaptā-re, f. ad to + aptā-re to fit; f. apt-us fit; see apt.]
1. To fit (a person or thing to another, to or for a purpose), to suit, or make suitable.
1611Florio, Addattare, to fit, to adapt, to appropriate [not in ed. 1598]. a1616B. Jonson Discov. Wks. 1616 II. 128 He is adapted to it by nature. 1636Healey Epictetus' Man. xlii. 65 Adapt the discourses of thy friends unto thine owne as neere as thou canst. 1763Miller Gard. Dict., A seminary is a seed-plot, which is adapted or set apart for the sowing of seeds. 1756Burke Subl. & B. Wks. I. 182 The senses strongly affected in some one manner, cannot quickly change their tenour, or adapt themselves to other things. 1847J. Yeowell Anc. Brit. Ch. i. 5 To have adapted poetry to the preservation of their historical memorials. 1855Bain Senses & Intell. ii. ii. §3 (1864) 209 The structure of the outer ear is adapted to collect and concentrate the vibrations.
2. a. To alter or modify so as to fit for a new use.
1774Bryant Mythol. I. 117 It is called Anchia..it signified either fons speluncæ, or spelunca fontis, according as it was adapted. 1858Hawthorne Fr. & It. Jrnls. II. 199 A kind of farm-house, adapted, I suppose, out of the old ruin.
b. To construct or produce by adaptation from.
1805J. Wild (title) Dramas Adapted (from the Original French) to the English Stage. 1849Athenæum 3 Nov. 1113/3 A three-act drama adapted from the French comedy. 1852C. Reade (title) The Lost Husband. A drama..written and adapted from the French. 1911(title) The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English adapted by H. W. Fowler and F. G. Fowler..from The Oxford Dictionary.
3. intr. To undergo modification so as to fit for a new use, etc. Const. to. Also absol.
1956M. Bryan Intent to Kill vi. 67 In our country, the rich have no sense of responsibility. I wonder how they will adapt to the future. 1962Listener 3 May 762/1 Birds certainly adapt to the urban community, and particularly well to the suburban community. Ibid. 19 July 84/1 There is an absolute lack of imagination, or failure to adapt, a refusal to face the need for change.
▪ II. † aˈdapt, ppl. a. Obs.
[f. adapt v. on analogy of ppl. adjs. like content, distract, erect, which were in form identical with verbs, though really adaptations of L. pples. in -tus; but there was no L. adaptus. The adj. apt may also have helped in the production of ad-apt.]
Fitted, suited; fit.
1704Swift T. of a Tub ix. Wks. 1760 I. 100 This definition of happiness..will be acknowledged wonderfully adapt. a1733North Lives of Norths II. 369 Nothing could have fallen out more exquisitely adapt to Mr. North's desires. |