| 释义 |
empower, v.|ɛmˈpaʊə(r)|
Also 7–9 impower, (6–7 impowre).
[f. en- + power.]
1. trans. To invest legally or formally with power or authority; to authorize, license.
α1654H. L'Estrange Chas. I (1655) 75 Letters from the Pope..empowering them to erect this Colledge. 1786T. Jefferson Writ. (1859) I. 567 A clause is inserted..empowering the King to discontinue it at any time. 1827Hallam Const. Hist. (1876) II. x. 266 The Petition and Advice had..empowered him to appoint a successor. 1860Motley Netherl. (1868) I. i. 18 They were empowered..to levy troops by land and sea.
β1655Fuller Ch. Hist. viii. i. §8 These visitors, not as yet impowred by law. 1704Swift T. Tub vii. 94, I do here impower him to remove it. 1801Strutt Sports & Past. ii. i. 51 The commissioners were..impowered to survey the lands adjoining to the city of London.
2. To impart or bestow power to an end or for a purpose; to enable, permit.
α1681–6J. Scott Chr. Life (1747) III. 619 Much less can he empower others to do Miracles. 1727De Foe Syst. Magic i. iv. (1840) 91 Some have doubted whether the Devil is empowered to take up any human shape. 1869Contemp. Rev. XI. 260 Air and..exercise..empower the man for any intellectual or moral work.
β1667Milton P.L. x. 369 Thou us impow'rd to fortifie thus farr. 1715–20Pope Iliad xiv. 295 Impower'd the wrath of gods and men to tame.
†b. To bestow power upon, make powerful.
1690Penn Rise & Progr. Quakers (1834) 17 Who empowered them as their work witnesseth.
†3. refl. To gain or assume power over. Obs.
1657S.W. Schism Dispach't 167 When this strange Vsurpation impower'd itself over the whole Church. Ibid. 179 That William the Conquerour should have impower'd himself over England.
Hence emˈpowering ppl. a.
1674N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. 141 Some instance of Gods impowering ghost. |