释义 |
ratting, vbl. n.|ˈrætɪŋ| [f. rat v.1 + -ing1.] 1. Desertion of one's party or principles. Also with over.
1816Edin. Rev. XXVI. 435 A minister of state suddenly changed sides..and the ratting..became general. 1827Carlyle in Froude Life (1882) I. 426 He characterises the papers as a splendid instance of literary ratting. 1839Times 10 Apr., A general ratting over of the Cabinet. 1946Sun (Baltimore) 17 June 18/3 His turning long-distance state's evidence, his ratting, so to speak, to the cops..strikes at the very core of the latest design to maintain ‘power’ in the hands of a people's government. 1948Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch 13 Feb. 30/1 McKeever..performed the most odious job of ‘ratting’ college football has known. attrib.1818Moore Fudge Fam. in Paris vi. 105 This serves to nurse the ratting spirit; The less the bribe, the more the merit. 2. The catching or killing of rats.
1828Sporting Mag. XXI. 399 Ratting, or any other school⁓boy's mischief. 1881G. Allen Evolut. at Large xix, The most tempting solicitations to ratting and rabbiting. attrib.1832Boston Herald 22 May 3/3 Committed for..maliciously stabbing..with a ratting spear. 3. Comb., as ratting canoe Canad., a small native boat designed for hunting muskrats in swamps and marshes.
1962R. Slobodin Band Organization of Peel River Kutchin 14 A child armed with a .22 rifle, paddling or portaging the light, narrow ten-foot ratting canoe. 1968R. M. Patterson Finlay's River 74 A—gave an initial display of his dexterity by upsetting a small ratting canoe with Butler and himself in it. |