| 释义 |
embarrassment|ɛmˈbærəsmənt|
[f. embarrass + -ment; cf. obs. Fr. embarrassement.]
1. The process of embarrassing (rare); embarrassed state or condition:
a. of (or with reference to) affairs, circumstances, etc.; often in pecuniary sense.
1676Coles, Embarasment, a perplexing, intangling, hindering. 1849Cobden Speeches 62 Difficulty and embarrassment in..the agricultural districts. c1850Arab. Nts. (Rtldg.) 354 The embarrassment of Noureddin's affairs. 1853Bright Sp. India 3 June, A state of embarrassment and threatened bankruptcy. 1872Yeats Growth Comm. 56 Political embarrassment and domestic want provoked attacks upon the dealers in corn. 1880L. Stephen Pope vi. 139 He managed to run through a splendid fortune and die in embarrassment.
b. Perplexity, sense of difficulty or hesitation with regard to judgement or action; constrained feeling or manner arising from bashfulness or timidity.
1774Burke Sp. Electors of Bristol, If my real, unaffected embarrassment prevents me from expressing my gratitude to you as I ought. 1796C. Marshall Garden. vii. (1813) 99 Bad weather occasions hurry and embarrassment. 1828Scott F.M. Perth vi, There was embarrassment on the maiden's part. 1850Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom v. 26 Noticing a certain embarrassment in her husband's manner. 1863Geo. Eliot Romola (1880) I. i. viii. 124 Ready speech that prevents a blush from looking like embarrassment. 1874Morley Compromise (1886) 84 Any embarrassment in dealing with it..is a weakness that hinders social progress.
c. Confusion of thought or expression.
1751Johnson Rambler No. 169 ⁋13 He seldom suspects his thoughts of embarrassment.
2. Something which embarrasses; an impediment, obstruction, encumbrance. In pl. often = ‘pecuniary difficulties’.
1729Butler Serm. Wks. 1874 II. 33 Embarrassments..hindering us from going the nearest way to our own good. 1751Johnson Rambl. No. 159 ⁋6 Diffidence..compensates its embarrassments by more important advantages. 1848Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 65 In the hope of extricating himself from his embarrassments. 1862Trench Mirac. i. 103 She was evidently distressed at the embarrassments of that humble household. 1876M. Arnold Lit. & Dogma 157 To be felt by them as an embarrassment to the cause of Jesus. |