释义 |
un-English, a. [un-1 7.] 1. Not English in character; lacking the qualities regarded as typically English.
1633Prynne Histrio-m. 546 So unmanly, degenerous and un-English (if I may so speake) in their whole conversation. 1745H. Walpole Let. to H. S. Conway 27 May, This is so un-English, or so un-heroic, that I despair of you! 1763Ann. Reg., Chron. 89/2 One of the members..called the attack ‘a horrid un-English act’. 1803Mackintosh Def. Peltier Wks. 1846 III. 286 Though deserted by the un-English Government of England, they asserted their own ancient character. 1848in Life A. Fonblanque (1874) 225 The un-English practice of secret voting will be resorted to. 1872Yeats Growth Comm. 308 A false patriotism that thought it un-English to wear foreign fabrics. 2. Not English by occupation or possession.
1738Gentl. Mag. 427/1 Such beauties..are,..save at Finedon, hardly found On English or un-English ground. 1902Daily Chron. 18 July 5/4 With Delagoa Bay the only harbour still un-English passes into England's power.
Add: Hence un-ˈEnglishness n.
1947V. Sackville-West Let. in V. Glendinning Vita (1983) xxxi. 349 Dear Jim, I grew so fond of you... You must forgive the un-Englishness of my saying this. 1960C. Watson Bump in Night xii. 123 High explosive..is the very apotheosis of un-Englishness. 1986E. Longford Pebbled Shore v. 77 An un-Englishness which she emphasized by never appearing in anything but silk dresses. |