| 释义 |
raw-head1
[f. raw a. 6 + head n.1]
a. The name of a nursery bugbear, usually coupled with bloody-bones. (Cf. raw-flesh and raw neck.)
c1550[? Gascoigne] Wyll of Deuyll C iij b, Written by our faithful Secretaryes, Hobgoblin, Rawhed, & Bloody⁓bone. 1659Leveller 4 Most People are agast at them, like children at Raw-head and Bloody-bones. 1694Motteux Rabelais iv. lxvi. (1737) 271 Ruffians and Murtherers, worse than Raw-head and Bloody-bones. 1773Life N. Frowde 19 Already I thought that I beheld Raw-head and Bloody-Bones stalking about my Garret. 1819L. Hunt Indicator No. 11 (1822) I. 81 He was the Raw-head-and-bloody-bones of ancient fable. 1882–9in Lanc. and Linc. glossaries.
attrib.1823Scott St. Ronan's II. vi. 110 Tell a raw-head-and-bloody-bone story about a footpad. 1828Scott Jrnl. 1 Apr., They are very angry at the Review for telling a raw-head and bloody bones story. 1848Mrs. Gaskell Mary Barton xx, A raw-head-and-bloody-bones picture of the suspected murderer. 1918[see funk-hole].
b. In allusive or figurative use.
1678Butler Hud. iii. ii. 682 For Zeal's a dreadful Termagant,..Turns meek and sneaking Secret ones, To Raw-heads fierce and Bloody Bones. 1727Swift Art Polit. Lying Wks. 1755 III. i. 119 Bringing out the raw-head and bloody bones upon every trifling occasion. 1849D. J. Browne Amer. Poultry Yd. (1855) 70 They will welcome the little strangers by making raw head and bloody bones of them. |