| 释义 |
gingerly, adv. and a.|ˈdʒɪndʒəlɪ|
[f. *ginger (of obscure origin) + -ly2; the adj. appears a few years later than the adv., and may possibly be derived from it.
It seems conceivable that ginger- may represent an adoption of OF. gensor (gentchur, gentior, genzor, etc.), properly the comparative of gent, gent a., but used also as a positive, ‘pretty, delicate’. The form presents no difficulty, as the word would naturally be assimilated to ginger n. The sense of the OF. word agrees closely with that of gingerly in the earliest examples both as adj. and as adv., though the Eng. word was almost entirely confined to one specific application (perh. as a techical term in dancing), which easily developed into a sense very remote from that of the suggested etymon.
It does not appear that any other plausible conjecture has yet been offered. The usual comparison of Sw. dial. gingla, gängla, to totter, is inadmissible, both on account of the sound |dʒ| instead of |g| in both syllables of the Eng. word, and for other reasons; and derivation from ginger n. would not account for the 16th c. sense.]
A. adv.
†a. In early use: Elegantly, daintily. Chiefly with reference to walking or dancing: With small elegant steps. (Originally in favourable or neutral sense, but subsequently with reproachful implication: Mincingly, effeminately.)
1519Interlude Four Elem. (Percy Soc.) 49 And I can daunce it gyngerly. 1523Skelton Garl. Laurel 1203 With, Gingirly, go gingerly! her tayle was made of hay; Go she neuer so gingirly, her honesty is gone away. 1530Palsgr. 836/1 Gyngerly, a pas menu, as allez a pas menu, ma fille. 1577Hanmer Eccl. Hist. 90 It is seemly for a Prophete neatly to pyncke and gingerly to sett forthe himselfe? 1583Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. (1882) 33 Their dansing minions, that minse it ful gingerlie..tripping like gotes, that an egge would not brek vnder their feet. 1607J. Webster Westward Ho ii. ii, Oh! she lookes so sugredly, so simpringly, so gingerly, so amarously, so amiably..Shees..such an intycing shee-witch.
b. From the 17th c. recorded with application to bodily movements or manipulation in general: With extreme caution, so as to avoid making a noise, hurting oneself, or injuring something touched or trodden upon; also, with the appearance of reluctance or distaste (as in handling some disagreeable object).
1607R. C. tr. Estienne's World of Wond. 350 He tooke off the taffata very gingerly wherein the coffer was wrapped. 1624Massinger Parl. Love v. i. Wks. (1805) II. 307 Prithee, gentle officer, Handle me gingerly, or I fall to pieces. 1647Trapp Comm. Eph. iii. 15 And when we walk, to tread gingerly, step warily. 1667Pepys Diary 3 July, But Lord! How gingerly he answered it. 1762Sterne Tr. Shandy V. v, My mother was going very gingerly in the dark along the passage as my uncle Toby pronounced the word wife. 1768–74Tucker Lt. Nat. (1852) II. 123 It must be handled gingerly at first, or we shall run a hazard of cutting ourselves. 1825Lamb Refl. in Pillory, Ketch, my good fellow..adjust this new collar to my neck gingerly. I am not used to these wooden cravats. 1837Disraeli Venetia ii. ii, She held a taper in her hand, and came tripping gingerly in. 1851W. Collins Rambles beyond Railw. i. (1852) 3 Touch him gingerly, or he will fall to pieces. 1871Carlyle in Mrs. Carlyle's Lett. I. 14 About July I cautiously, gingerly, stept up to the affair again. 1885Stevenson Dynamiter 191 [He] gingerly transported the explosive to the far end of the apartment. 1891Baring-Gould In Troubadour-Land xvi. 230 The boats..are all flat-bottomed, and the men have to row gingerly, lest their oars strike the bottom.
B. adj.
†a. Of persons and their movements: Dainty, delicate (obs.).
b. Of manner of walking or handling: Extremely cautious or wary; showing fear of making a noise, hurting oneself, or injuring what is touched or trodden upon.
1533Udall Flowers Lat. Speak. 99 We staye and prolonge our goinge with a nyce or tendre and softe, delicate, or gingerly pace [L. tenero ac molli passu]. 1563Jack Jugler (Roxb. 1820) 9 We vse to call her at home, dame Coye A pretie gingerlie pice, god saue her and saint Loye. 1573G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 115 All y⊇ rest of my trimmest, tricksiest, gingerliest ioyes. 1611Cotgr. s.v. Larron, Pas de larron, a gingerlie tread. 1754J. Shebbeare Matrimony (1766) II. 223 Like those Ladies who affect to shew all the World they are accustom'd to a Coach, by their gingerly Stepping. 1862Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Hallib. ii. ix, Tim treading with gingerly feet past his own door. 1871L. Stephen Playgr. Europe iv. (1894) 103 We crept along in as gingerly a fashion as might be. 1876M. E. Braddon J. Haggard's Dau. I. 187 Taking up the soft flaxen tresses in a gingerly manner. 1884Chr. World 24 Jan. 53/3 Told in the most mincing and gingerly fashion. |