| 释义 |
eavesdrop, v.|ˈiːvzdrɒp|
Also 7 eave-drop.
[f. prec.; or perhaps back-formation from eaves-dropper.]
intr. To stand within the ‘eavesdrop’ of a house in order to listen to secrets; hence, to listen secretly to private conversation. Also trans. To listen secretly to (conversation); formerly also, to listen within the ‘eavesdrop’ of (a house); to listen to the secrets of (a person).
1606Sir G. Goosecappe v. i. in Bullen O. Pl. (1884) III. 82 We will be bold to evesdroppe. 1611S. W. Baker in Coryat Crudities Panegyr. Verses, That evesdrops a word. 1611Cotgr. s.v. Escoute, Estre aux escoutes..to eaue-drop, to prie into men's actions or courses. 1619Dalton Countr. Just. lxxv. (1630) 189 Against such as by night shall eves⁓drop mens houses. 1632Shirley Hyde Park i. ii, It is not civil to eavesdrop him. 1820Scott Abbot xxi, Art thou already eaves-dropping? 1860Emerson Cond. Life v. Behaviour Wks. (Bohn) II. 386 We must not peep and eaves⁓drop at palace-doors. 1872Howells Wedd. Journ. 176 What we eavesdropped so shamefully in the hotel parlor. |