释义 |
ˈhigh-flown, a. [f. high adv. + flown pa. pple. of fly v.] †1. Soaring high; carrying things to a high pitch; elevated; elated. In quot. a 1656, Intoxicated, ‘elevated’. Obs.
1647N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. i. lii. (1739) 93 As yet oppression was not so high-flown. a1656Ussher Ann. vi. (1658) 112 The king, being somewhat high flowen with drink. a1668Denham Prudence 42 Nor high-flown hopes to Reason's lure descend. 1702Steele Funeral ii. i. 35 We..have nothing at all, of all this High-Flown Fury. 1842C. Brontë in Mrs. Gaskell Life xi. (1857) I. 257 In a high-flown humour, he forbade me to use either dictionary or grammar. 2. Of sentiments, language, style, etc.: Extravagant, hyperbolical; bombastic.
1665Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 324 In his high-flown conceits. 1672–5T. Comber Comp. Temple (1702) 38 He is..noted for his high flown style. 1781Gibbon Decl. & F. III. 77 Such are the high-flown expressions of Prudentius. 1874L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) II. v. 156 Sentiments, which are occasionally too high-flown and overstrained. 1888Bryce Amer. Commw. I. xiv. 192 A piece of elaborate and highflown declamation. †3. Of persons: Extreme in opinion or party feeling, esp. in support of claims of authority in church or state. Cf. high-flyer 3. Obs.
1672Wood Life (O.H.S.) I. 146 He was a high-flone Cavalier. 1681Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) I. 124 The former [party] are called by the latter, tories, tantivies..high flown church⁓men, &c. 1705Hickeringill Priest-cr. ii. viii. 86 You see, old Highflown Beau! of whom they learnt. |