| 释义 |
existent, a. and n.|ɛgˈzɪstənt|
[ad. L. ex(s)istent-em, pr. pple. of ex(s)istĕre: see exist.]
A. adj.
1. That exists, existing; having being or existence. Often emphasized by actually, really, truly, etc.
1561Eden Arte Nauig. Pref., One common sence existent in them all. 1594Mirr. Policy (1599) Q iij, Some bad Societie aimeth at an apparent but not existent good. 1656tr. Hobbes' Elem. Philos. (1839) 18 Whether that thing be truly existent, or be only feigned. 1734Jackson Existence of God 46 There is but one necessarily existent Being. 1793Gouv. Morris in Sparks Life & Writ. (1832) II. 302 Forty five thousand men were about the existent force. 1818Byron Ch. Har. iv. lxxxvii, And thou, dread statue! yet existent in The austerest form of naked majesty. 1860Bright Sp. Ch. Rates 27 Apr., A power which is found to be greatly less existent in a congregation of the Established Church. 1868Rogers Pol. Econ. iii. (ed. 3) 27 The quantity [of gold] existent and in circulation.
absol.1603Holland Plutarch's Mor. 1352 Usurping the name of the true Jehovah or alwaies Existent. 1653H. More Antid. Ath. i. viii. (1712) 146 He declares why the Existent should exist. 1875Encycl. Brit. II. 522/2 Pure unconditioned actuality, the ever existent, or God.
2. Now existing; present-day.
1791Burke Th. Fr. Affairs Wks. VII. 72 To govern the existent body with as sovereign a sway as they had done the last. 1874Ruskin Fors Clav. IV. xliii. 153 It gives you types of existent Frenchmen..of a very different class.
B. n. An existent person or thing.
1644Bp. Maxwell Prerog. Chr. Kings ii. 31 Frequently expressions in the abstract expresse existents in the concrete. 1655H. More App. Antid. (1662) 146 If there be any necessary Existent, it is plain that it is Matter. 1722Wollaston Relig. Nat. v. 69 For He is a necessary existent. a1878Lewes Study Psychol. (1879) 51 These same phenomena viewed..no longer as modes or existences, but as subjects or existents.
Hence eˈxistently adv.
1694R. Burthogge Reason 67 Sentiments (as such) are, in their own formalities, but apparently only, not existently, without the faculties that so conceive them. |