| 释义 |
expostulate, v.|ɛkˈspɒstjʊleɪt|
[f. L. expostulāt- ppl. stem of expostulāre, f. ex- (see ex- prefix1) + postulāre, to demand: see postulate.
The L. senses were 1. to demand; 2. to demand the reason for (a person's conduct); 3. to complain of injury; to remonstrate.]
†1. trans. To ask for, demand, claim. Obs.
c1534tr. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden) I. 108 Thei weare constrained to expostulat succors of the Romains. 1548Hall Chron. (1809) 484 He hasted..with as much hast as the gravitie of the cause did require and expostulate. 1604T. Wright Passions 112 To expostulat a certeine fauour. 1645Milton Tetrach. Introd., If men want manlinesse to expostulate the right of their due ransom. 1670Sir T. Culpeper Necess. Abating Usury To Rdr. 3 To such as yet further expostulate my meaning, I answer.
†b. With indirect question as obj.: To demand how or why. Obs.
c1645Howell Lett. (1650) I. 471 They expostulate how a man that was born blind..should presently know the shapes of trees. 1650Col. Andrewe in F. Buckley Relat. Trial (1660) 71 Some may be so forward as to expostulate, why this great judgment is fallen upon me. 1688–9Lady Russell Lett. II. lxxxiv. 11, I cannot..stay to expostulate why I would do so.
†2. To complain of (grievances); to plead or remonstrate with a person about (conduct). Obs.
1586A. Day Eng. Secretary ii. (1625) 18 They sometime mildely..expostulate the injury. 1602Marston Ant. & Mel. iv. Wks. 1856 I. 48 Doe not expostulate the heavens will. 1603Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 314 Some..seemed to expostulate their grife with God. 1678Wanley Wond. Lit. World v. i. §82. 466/2 The Emperour did expostulate the unseemliness of the deed with him. a1716South serm. (1744) X. 192 Being smote upon the face, they expostulated the injury of the blow.
†b. To argue or debate (a matter) as an aggrieved person. Also in wider sense, to debate, argue out, discourse upon. Obs.
1573G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 31 M. Osburn..must needs..expostulate the matter with your wurship. 1586A. Day Eng. Secretary ii. (1625) 76 Having at large expostulated my true meaning. 1624Capt. Smith Virginia 75 Powhatan began to expostulate the difference of Peace and warre after this manner. [Followed by a speech.] 1665R. B. Comm. on 2 Tales 48 While he thus expostulated the case..she..clapt the window to. 1765Colman Terence 326 Let us expostulate the matter with her. 1789Wesley Wks. (1872) XIII. 123 Do not fail mildly to expostulate the case.
†c. To say or utter in expostulation. Obs.
1577Fenton Gold. Epist. 245 We neede not feare the quareller, if we expostulate no words with him. 1741Richardson Pamela I. 75 Let me but expostulate a Word or two with you, Pamela.
†3. intr.
a. To complain, set forth one's grievances.
b. To discourse, discuss, dilate. Obs.
1561T. Norton Calvin's Inst. iii. 213 The complaintes..wherein the lord oftentimes doth expostulate of the vnkindenesse of the people. 1593Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, ii. v. 135 Nay, stay not to expostulate, make speed. 1605Tryall Chev. iv. i. in Bullen O. Pl. (1884) III. 332 But for my haste, I would expostulate of other things. a1644Heywood Fortune by Land ii. Wks. 1874 VI. 389, I cannot now stand to expostulate. 1772–84Cook Voy. (1790) V. 1639 They often expostulate, in a kind of stanza, or recitative. 1773J. Ross Fratricide (MS.) vi. 467 Thou who..hast..Expostulated hours on Virtue's charms!
4. To make friendly remonstrances or representations for the purpose or reprehension or dissuasion; to reason or remonstrate in a friendly manner with (a person), about, for, on, or upon (a thing).
1574Whitgift Def. Answ. 704, I haue great cause to expostulate with you for this your vnchristian..and most vniust handling of me. 1611Beaum. & Fl. King & No King i. i, I have..Expostulated with my wandring thoughts. a1674Clarendon Hist. Reb. (1704) III. xiv. 411 The Keeper expostulated with him in vain upon the dishonour. 1699Bentley Phal. 253 He'll give me leave to expostulate..about his Conduct. 1726Cavallier Mem. iv. 290, I expostulated for the Non-performance of the late Conditions. 1794Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho xvi, The Count followed to expostulate and entreat. 1833J. H. Newman Lett. (1891) II. 8 An article from the Editor..expostulating with the imprudence of his ‘friends at Oxford’. 1865Livingstone Zambesi vii. 161 He expostulated with him on the impropriety of such conduct to strangers.
Hence exˈpostulating vbl. n., the action of the vb. expostulate. exˈpostulating ppl. a., that expostulates. exˈpostulatingly adv.
1586A. Day Eng. Secretary ii. (1625) 18 This kinde of expostulating falleth most with persons of equality. 1614Earl Stirling Doomsday x. lxxvii, The reprobate..Expostulating blasphemy doe use. 1885Pall Mall G. 19 Feb. 6/4 Men, women, and children rushed past the excited and expostulating officers. 1883Harper's Mag. Oct. 697/1 She..laid her hand on one of his expostulatingly. |