| 释义 |
Rebecca|rɪˈbɛkə|
a. The name given (in allusion to Gen. xxiv. 60) to the leader in woman's attire of those rioters who demolished toll-gates in South Wales in 1843–4. Also attrib.
1843Times 10 Jan. 6/3 There has been..a mob of lawless depredators..who assembled nightly for the purpose of destroying the turnpike gates... These ruffians are headed by a very tall man, dressed for disguise as a female who goes by the name of Rebecca, and, as many of his associates are likewise dressed as females, the whole gang have been christened ‘Rebecca and her daughters’. Ibid. 8 May 4/2 Rebecca and her Daughters. The counties of Carmarthen and Cardigan appear to be in a most fearful state from these daring depredators. Ibid. 22 June 5/5 (heading) Rebecca riots. 1846Times 17 June 7/6 Rebecca wanted in Glocestershire. 1879McCarthy Own Times xiii, An odd feature of the time was the outbreak of what were called the Rebecca riots in Wales.
b. transf. A salmon-poacher.
188119th Cent. Apr. 692 The poor emaciated salmon..is transfixed by the unerring aim of ‘Rebecca’.
c. Var. Rebekah.
Hence Reˈbecca v. trans., to demolish or remove (a gate). Reˈbeccaism, the practices and principles of the Rebeccaites. Reˈbeccaite, a follower of ‘Rebecca’; also transf. and attrib.
1843A. Sedgwick Let. 23 June in Life (1890) II. i. 56 Dress me like one of the Welsh Rebeccites [sic], and call me a water-nymph. 1878F. Kilvert Diary 25 Nov. (1940) III. 434 A large party of Rebaccaites being out spearing salmon below Rhayader Bridge. 1879Rebecca Riots in Radnorshire 1 The outrages the ‘Rebeccaites’ committed did not..appear to originate in political causes. Ibid. 7 In dealing..with the Rebeccaite question. 1881Daily News 8 June 6 The report of Mr. Walpole and Professor Huxley..as to the cause and existence of Rebeccaism was issued yesterday. 1890Sat. Rev. 14 June 719/2 The desire of the County Council to ‘Rebecca’ certain of the Duke of Bedford's gates. |