| 释义 |
ˈhalf-hearted, a.
Not having one's ‘whole heart’ in a matter; having the heart or affections divided; wanting in courage, earnestness, or zeal.
1611Florio, Semicorde, a coward, halfe-hearted. 1621[see prec.] 1772Fletcher Logica Genev 108 Some half-hearted Calvinists, who are ashamed of their principles. 1874Mahaffy Soc. Life Greece v. 154 After a half-hearted search, they go home. 1888Burgon Lives 12 Gd. Men I. iii. 320 [He] found himself surrounded by the perplexed and half-hearted.
†b. ‘Wanting in true affection, illiberal, ungenerous, unkind.’ Obs.
1864in Webster, who cites Ben Jonson.
Hence half-ˈheartedly adv.; -ˈheartedness.
1670Clarendon Contempl. Ps. Tracts (1727) 686 If the heart be divided..there is no blessing for this half-heartedness. 1870Pall Mall G. 27 Sept. 11 Is it that Venice..sympathizes but faintly and half-heartedly with the master feeling of Italian aspirations? 1881Chamb. Jrnl. No. 918. 495/2 The natural halfheartedness born of years of disappointment. 1888Burgon Lives 12 Gd. Men I. iii. 317 To speak half-heartedly of the Anglican cause. |