| 释义 |
unˈclear, a.
[un-1 7. Cf. W.Fris. ûn-, onklear (at variance), MDu. onclaer (oncleer), Du. onklaar, MLG. unklâr, G. unklar, ON. úklárr (Norw. uklaar, Da. uklar, Sw. oklar).]
1. Not clear or distinct; not easy to understand; obscure, dark.
13..E.E. Allit. P. C. 307, I calde & þou knew myn vncler steuen. a1500Chester Pl. xvi. 279 But my might in this manere Will I not proue,..my cause unclear Were then, in good fay. a1513Fabyan Chron. 2 Ryght mysty storyes, doughtfull and vnclere. 1611Tourneur Ath. Trag. iv. iii, The time, the place, All circumstances argue that uncleare. 1678Sir G. Mackenzie Crim. Laws Scot. ii. xxix. §ii. (1699) 277 It were very hard upon testimonies, that have so unclear a causa scientiæ.., to take a way a mans life. 1798Monthly Mag. VI. 99 The mythological allusions in the 10th, 11th and 12th verses are unclear. 1828Pusey Hist. Eng. i. p. xiv, To fix the stamp of misconception upon every thing else which is unclear in the work. 1884Ld. Coleridge in Law Times Rep. L. 297/2 That these otherwise clear and plain words are made doubtful and unclear by the 3rd clause of this section.
b. Not clear in understanding, perception, or statement; confused.
c1430Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 27 A philosophre..Had a frend that somwhat was aged, In suche tymes as wyttes wex uncler. 1734Ld. Hervey Mem. Geo. II (1848) I. 324 From having a most unclear head..he was absolutely useless to his brother. 1828Pusey Hist. Enq. i. 142 The unsystematic and unclear mind of his disciple. 1885Century Mag. XXXI. 276 So unclear in their statements that we can make nothing of them.
c. Of persons: Uncertain, doubtful (about something).
1671[R. MacWard] True Nonconf. 172 If you be still unclear, answere this demand with your self in sobriety. 1715Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 94 The whole brethren present seemed very unclear as to the abjuration. 1886Sir J. Paget Let. 7 Aug. in Mem. vi. 362, I am unclear as to their [sc. certain patients'] names.
2. Not clear of, not free from, fault or blame.
a1400Pistill of Susan 306 Nou schal þi concience be knowen, þat euer was vnclere. 1426Audelay Poems 13 Thai are the lanternys of lyf..Bot thai be caȝt with covetyse with conscions unclere. 1607Tourneur Rev. Trag. ii. D iv b, I haue great sins; I must haue daies..To lift 'em out, and not to die vncleere.
3. Not clear or bright; dark, thick.
c1400Anturs of Arth. x, Al glowed as a glede þe goste þere ho glides, Vmbeclipped him with a cloude, of cle[th]yng vnclere. 1527Andrew Brunswyke's Distyll. Waters B ij, Lyquor or sape, which ye wyl puryfye from all trowblous and unclere substaunces. 1535Coverdale Esther xi. 8 Ye same daye was full of darcknes & very vncleare, full of trouble & anguysh. 1594Carew Tasso (1881) 80 Sometimes the Sun shines through white cloud vncleere.
fig.c1440J. Capgrave Life St. Kath. v. 1207 Fro al onclennesse Of lust and filthe, and fro that loue on-clere Whiche þei calle letcherie. 1639G. Daniel Ecclus. xvii. 80 Those Horrid Crimes of Mortalls Shall appeare Vgly and Monstrous, vile, deform'd, vncleare. |