| 释义 |
unˈgenial, a.
[un-1 7.]
1. Not favourable to growth or development. Also const. to.
1726Thomson Winter 718 Those sullen seas, That wash th' ungenial pole, will rest no more. 1796W. H. Marshall W. England II. 100 The frequency of rain..renders West Devonshire,..in a wet season, ungenial to Agriculture. 1829Southey Sir T. More II. 142 No plants will thrive in a cold and meagre soil, ungenial to their nature. 1856Emerson Eng. Traits, Land ⁋1 Art..transforms a rude,..ungenial land into a paradise of comfort and plenty.
fig.1768[W. Donaldson] Life Sir B. Sapskull II. i. 7 The citizen from the ungenial atmosphere of Watling-Street.
b. Of weather: Cold or wet: raw.
1815Jane Austen Emma l, I did not quite like your looks on Tuesday, but it was an ungenial morning. 1885Manch. Exam. 14 May 5/1 The ungenial weather has compelled the outdoor part of the programme to be abandoned.
2. Not agreeable or pleasant (to one).
1796F. Burney Camilla V. 243 She declined the excursion, as..ungenial to her feelings. 1822Lamb Elia i. Praise of Chimney-sweepers, The rake..curses the ungenial fume, as he passeth. 1857Dufferin Lett. High Lat. (ed. 3) 401 Henceforth, the words..can convey no cold or ungenial associations to my ears.
b. Not congenial or suited to the genius of.
1871Earle Philol. Eng. Tongue 145 We must regard this..as being a creation of the English speech-genius. To the Danish it is ungenial.
3. Not cheerful, jovial, or kindly.
1796F. Burney Camilla V. 38 [I] appeared to you too rigorous, too ungenial. 1867Ld. Houghton in Brodrick, etc. Ess. Reform 48 An ungenial German, ignorant of our language and offensive to our manners. 1870Lowell Among Bks. Ser. i. 237 The Puritans had their faults. They were narrow, ungenial. 1889Gretton Memory's Harkb. 25 He was of somewhat ungenial, crusty temperament.
Hence ungeniˈality.
1859G. Wilson Mem. E. Forbes iv. (1861) 109 A deep, quiet enthusiasm..which his ungeniality of nature could not prevent being contagious. |