| 释义 |
▪ I. agonizing, vbl. n.|ˈægənaɪzɪŋ|
[f. agonize v. + -ing1.]
The action of putting forth excessive exertion, struggling, suffering anguish.
1813Mrs. Schimmelpenninck tr. Lancelot's Tour (1816) I. 71 This agonizing must as much relate to that vile body, which even St. Paul kept under. 1882Pall Mall G. 14 Nov. 5 [His] continual agonizings with his hopeless passion.
▪ II. agonizing, ppl. a.|ˈægənaɪzɪŋ|
[f. agonize v. + -ing2.]
1. a. Causing agony or extreme anguish, torturing.
1686Dryden Hind. & P. iii. 287 O sharp convulsive pangs of agonizing pride! 1764Goldsm. Trav. 435 The lifted ax, the agonizing wheel. 1826Disraeli Viv. Grey ii. xiii. 64 With a smile of agonising courtesy. 1861Macaulay Hist. Eng. V. 45 What Fenwick must have suffered, the agonizing struggle between the fear of shame and the fear of death.
b. agonizing reappraisal, a reassessment of a policy, position, etc., painfully forced on one by a radical change of circumstances, or by a realization of what the existing circumstances really are. (Chiefly a political and journalistic catch-phrase.)
1953J. F. Dulles in N.Y. Times 15 Dec. 14/3 If..the European Defence Community should not be effective; if France and Germany remain apart... That would compel an agonizing reappraisal of basic United States policy. 1958Economist 18 Oct. 222/2 New Zealand..is being forced into an agonizing reappraisal of its domestic policies. 1958Star 9 Dec., As if in response to new directions from an agonising reappraisal in MCC's room at lunch, the scoring spurted as Cowdrey twice swung Benaud to the leg fence.
2. Suffering agony; writhing in pain or anguish; in the throes of death.
1666in Phil. Trans. I. 249 An extraordinary Restorative and Cordiall, recovering frequently with it agonizing persons. 1728Thomson Spring 586 Convulsive twist in agonizing folds. 1812–21Combe Dr. Synt., Consolation i. (Chandos) 129 His agonising bosom burns. |