| 释义 |
foothold|ˈfʊthəʊld|
[See hold n.]
1. A hold or support for the feet: a surface (secure or otherwise) for standing or walking on; firm or stable position of the feet.
1625F. Markham Bk. Hon. v. ii. 166 The onely readie and perfit scale (where is neither slipperie foot-holde, nor tottering ascent). 1692R. L'Estrange Fables vi, He has nothing above him to Aspire to, nor any Foot-Hold left him to come down by. 1837W. Irving Capt. Bonneville II. 222 The horses had no foothold, but kept plunging forward. 1871L. Stephen Playgr. Eur. iv. (1894) 102 It was impossible to cut steps in it [ice] deep enough to afford secure foothold.
b. transf.
1692R. L'Estrange Fables cccxxxiii. 291 All fell to Work at the Roots of the Tree, and left it so little Foot-hold, that the first Blast of Wind laid it Flat upon the Ground. 1880Contemp. Rev. Mar. 418 The hyssop finds firm foot-hold in the wall. 1890Home & Ch. St. Gregory the Great 10 The insertion of new foundations under the pillars, which were supported while workmen removed their footholds.
c. fig.
1660H. More Myst. Godl. i. v. 15 Those parts of the World where their Philosophy had taken foot-hold. 1855H. Reed Lect. Eng. Lit. iv. (1878) 150 The Saracen was driven slowly from his last foothold in the west of Europe. 1864Theolog. Rev. Mar. 19 As one foothold of belief after another is taken away.
2. ? U.S. ‘A kind of light india-rubber overshoe, leaving the heel unprotected; a sandal. Sometimes called a tip.’ (Cent. Dict.) |