| 释义 |
flea-bitten, a.
[f. as prec. + bitten ppl. a.]
1. Bitten by (or infested with) fleas.
1621Burton Anat. Mel. i. iii. iii. (1676) 127 Redness of the face and itching, as if they were flea-bitten, or stung with Pis-mires. c1626Dick of Devon v. i. in Bullen O. Pl. (1883) II. 87 In my fleabitten Trundle bed. 1751Smollett Per. Pic. (1779) IV. lxxxvii. 36 You old flinty-faced, flea⁓bitten scrub. 1823Blackw. Mag. XIV. 508 Snug and flea-bitten, in their own personal garrets.
2. Of the colour of a horse, dog, etc.: Having bay or sorrel spots or streaks, upon a lighter ground.
1570Will of Bartillmew (Somerset Ho.), Geldinge flea⁓bitten colour. 1577B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. ii. (1586) 116 b, The fleabitten horse prooveth alwaies good in travell. 1685Lond. Gaz. No. 2032/4 A Lusty strong well spread gray Gelding..beginning to be Flea-bitten about the Head and Neck. 1846E. Jesse Anecd. Dogs 282 We now see them [pointers]..of a flea-bitten blue or grey. 1863Times 21 May, A tall and very powerful flea-bitten gray.
3. Also fig.
1917D. H. Lawrence Look! 89 As to whether you've found a fortune In me, or a flea-bitten fate. 1971Guardian 3 July 11/1 Gwalior town itself is quite as seedy and flea-bitten as any other central Indian town.
Hence ˈflea-bittenness.
1837Fraser's Mag. XVI. 532 The mares'-nests of its discovery were amply suited by the flea-bittenness of its style. |