| 释义 |
embarrass, v.|ɛmˈbærəs|
Also 7–8 embarass, 8 imbarrass.
[ad. F. embarrasser, lit. ‘to block, obstruct’, f. embarras: see prec.]
1. trans. To encumber, hamper, impede (movements, actions, persons moving or acting).
1683Temple Mem. Wks. 1731 I. 376 The Character of Ambassador, which would delay or embarass me with Preparations of Equipage. 1734tr. Rollin's Anc. Hist. (1827) II. ii. §2. 2 Hannibal..ran to the assistance of his troops, who were thus embarrassed. 1803Wellington in Gurw. Disp. II. 53 note, The state of the rivers..will embarrass the enemy in a considerable degree. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II. ix. 402 A general council would..embarrass their movements.
b. pass. Of persons: To be ‘in difficulties’ from want of money; to be encumbered with debts. Cf. embarrassed ppl. a., embarrassment.
2. a. To perplex, throw into doubt or difficulty.
1672Villiers (Dk. Buckhm.) Rehearsal (1714) 41 The People being embarrast by their equal ties to both. 1673Dryden Marr. à la Mode v. i, Pray do not Embarrass me..Embarrass me! what a delicious French word do you make me lose upon you too! 1724De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1840) 151 The king embarrassed with these difficulties..calls a great council. 1773Ld. Monboddo Language (1774) I. i. ix. 123 Could not conceive and argue..without imbarrassing his thoughts. 1824Travers Dis. Eye (ed. 3) 332 Such a circumstance may embarrass an operator. 1855Milman Lat. Chr. (1864) III. vi. iii. 418 Frederick..embarrassed them with the choice among five prelates.
b. To make (a person) feel awkward or ashamed, esp. by one's speech or actions; to cause (someone) embarrassment.
1828in Webster. 1897Daily News 26 Nov. 8/3 The senator said: ‘Mr. President, may I have the privilege of introducing Mr. Clemens?’.. ‘Mr. President, I—I am embarrassed. Are you?’ 1929E. Bowen Last Sept. xv. 182 His unordered moods gave him the churlishness of a schoolboy; his silliness embarrassed her. 1957J. Braine Room at Top xxx. 238 He always said and did the correct thing and never embarrassed anyone with an unseemly display of emotion. 1984F. Tuohy Coll. Stories 194 He embarrassed everyone by bursting into tears.
3. To render difficult or intricate; to complicate (a question, etc.).
1736Butler Anal. i. iv. Wks. 1874 I. 80 One irregularity after another embarrasses things to such a degree, that, etc. 1771Goldsm. Hist. Eng. Pref. ii, They have effectually embarrassed that road which they laboured to shorten. 1778R. Lowth Isaiah Notes (ed. 12) 206 The word..seems to embarrass the sentence. 1818Cruise Digest VI. 25, I do not apprehend that this case will be embarrassed by that decision. 1876E. Mellor Priesth. iv. 154 This designation by their ordinary names..must embarras every theory which involves a substantial change. |