| 释义 |
Ebenezer|ɛbəˈniːzə(r)|
[Heb. eben hā-ﻋēzer ‘the stone of help’: see 1 Sam. vii. 12.]
1. a. The name of the memorial stone set up by Samuel after the victory of Mizpeh: see 1 Sam. vii. 12. Used appellatively in religious literature in fig. phrases, alluding to the sentiment ‘Hitherto hath the Lord helped us’, associated with the origin of the name. Chiefly U.S.
1693C. Mather Wond. Invis. World 14 Many an Ebenezer has been Erected unto the Praise of God by his Poor People here. 1745Essex Inst. Hist. Coll. VI. 181/2, I can..here set up my Ebenezer, & say that hitherto God has preserved me. 1758R. Robinson Hymn, ‘Come Thou fount’, Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by Thy help I'm come. 1840Knickerbocker XV. 184 These things..were only inducements to him to set up his Ebenezer in this place. 1870J. H. B. Nowland Early Reminisc. Indianapolis 86 At a love-feast, the old man said..he was able to raise his Ebenezer, and that the cloud had passed away.
b. Temper, passion. U.S. slang.
Evidently by a misunderstanding of ‘raise’.
1836Public Ledger (Philad.) 27 July (Th.), Says I, Deb,..I'll send you wool enough to make a wig. That ris Deb's ebenezer. 1838T. C. Haliburton Clockm. 2nd Ser. xxii. 333 If you go for to raise your voice at him,..his Ebenezer is up in a minit. 1849D. Nason Jrnl. 14 Our Steward is under the constant necessity of a check-rein upon his ebenezer.
2. Occasionally (like Bethel, Zoar, Zion, etc.) adopted by Methodists, Baptists, Independents, etc. as the name of a particular chapel or meeting-house. Hence used contemptuously as a synonym for ‘dissenting chapel’.
1849Thackeray Pendennis i. xv. 133 Clavering New Church prospered... Their efforts had thinned the very Ebenezer hard by them. 1856Sat. Rev. II. 318 Such low resorts as public-houses and Ebenezers. 1871[see Zion]. |