| 释义 |
expressive, a.|ɛkˈsprɛsɪv|
Also 5 expressif.
[a. F. expressif, -ive, ad. L. type *expressīv-us, f. exprimĕre: see express v.1 and -ive.]
†1. Tending to press out or expel. Obs.
c1400Lanfranc's Cirurg. 137 (MS. A.) Þat oile haþ a vertu expressif..bi þe whiche..akþis ben swagid.
2. Of or pertaining to, or concerned with, expression; having the function of expressing.
1747Collins Passions 16 Each, for Madness ruled the Hour, Would prove his own expressive Pow'r. 1764Reid Inquiry iv. §2 118 The best judge in all the expressive arts. 1891J. Jastrow in Educational Rev. I. 262 The receptive powers are in advance of the expressive ones.
3. Serving to express, indicate, or represent.
1711Shaftesbury Charac. vi. i. (1737) III. 355 A situation expressive of Suspence and Doubt. 1794S. Williams Vermont 378 Tables expressive of this diurnal variation. 1802M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. 222 An air of dignity, which seemed expressive of conscious innocence. 1873Earle Philol. Eng. Tongue §490 This has a rhetorical use expressive of contempt.
4. Full of expression.
a. Of a word, phrase, or symbol: Expressing its meaning with striking accuracy or force. Formerly also of a statement: Explicit.
b. Of the countenance, voice, actions, works of art: Characterized by expression.
a.1690J. Harrington Def. Rights Univ. Oxf. Pref., The Priviledges of this University have been in so..expressive words granted to our Predecessours. 1711P. H. View two last Parlts. 141 This Clause they would have had more expressive. 1712–4Pope Rape Lock iii. 40 Four fair Queens whose hands sustain a flow'r, Th' expressive emblem of their softer pow'r. 1859Athenæum 23 July 113 The expressive term of Bung, as signifying a public-house landlord. 1884Church Bacon ix. 223 His Latin..is singularly forcible and expressive.
b.1718Lady M. W. Montague Lett. II. l. 69 The expressive beauty of that face and bosom gives all the passion of pity and admiration. 1747G. Lyttelton Monody to Lady xi, Through her expressive eyes her soul distinctly spoke. 1768W. Gilpin Ess. Prints 70 He engraves with a noble, firm, expressive line. 1832H. Martineau Ireland ii. 29 The Italian gentleman..used an expressive gesture. 1847James J. Marston Hall vii, His countenance was a very expressive one. 1851D. Wilson Preh. Ann. II. iv. viii. 452 The most expressive features of every style of Gothic architecture. 1864Princess Alice Let. 22 Jan. in Biog. Sk. & Lett. (1884) 66 Baby is so expressive, she makes such a face when she is not pleased.
5. Of a person: Open or emphatic in expressing (sentiments). Const. of. rare.
1601Shakes. All's Well ii. i. 54 Vse a more spacious ceremonie to the Noble Lords..be more expressiue to them. 1658Jer. Taylor Let. in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 5 Her..love and veneration to your Ladiship; in which she is so..expressive. 1815Lamb Let. to Wordsw. 95 We felt as we had been not enough expressive of our pleasure.
†6. Expressing itself in action; tending to outward manifestation. Obs.
1627–77Feltham Resolves i. lxxxvi. 134 Solomon's good man, is merciful to his Beast, nor take I this to be only intentional; but expressive. 1639F. Robartes God's Holy Ho. viii. 58 Expressive holinesse is the outward manifestation of the former, by the words of our mouthes. 1747Gould Eng. Ants 30 There is such a strong expressive Affection imprinted on them towards the Eggs.
†7. quasi-adv. So as to be plainly exhibited; manifestly, visibly. Obs.
1718Prior Solomon ii. 745 Golden sayings..On large phylacteries expressive writ. |