| 释义 |
unˈsteadfastness
[f. prec.]
The quality of being unsteadfast: a. Of persons or conduct.
a1300Cursor M. 27793 O suernes cums..vnstedfastnes, o will wandring. 1384Chaucer L.G.W. Prol. 526 A ful gret neglygence Was it to the to write onstedefast-nesse Of women. c1440Promp. Parv. 367/2 Onstedefastnesse, instabilitas. a1500Chaucer's Dream 200 Wherefore I doubt..Her variance and vnsteadfastnes. a1548Hall Chron., Hen. VIII, 144 b, Then was rehersed to the Frenchemen their doublenes [and] their vnstedfastnes. 1649Bp. Reynolds Hosea ii. 91 The falsenesse and unstedfastnesse of our Hearts. 1694Kettlewell Comp. Persecuted 58 Let not any other Persons unsteadfastness in thy ways..cause me to waver. a1850Rossetti Dante & Circle i. (1874) 99 Many times I cursed the unsteadfastness of my eyes. 1860Pusey Min. Proph. 90 God, in answer, promises to heal..their fickleness and unsteadfastness.
b. Of life, fortune, etc.
1508Dunbar's Poems (S.T.S.) 321/19 Sen in this warld thare is no sekernes,..I tak my leve at all vnstedfastnes. 1561Becon Sick Man's Salve (1572) 5 O the vnstedfastnesse of mans life! 1585T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. iv. xxix. 150 b, By chaunge of time and vnstedfastnesse of fortune this so flourishing a citie is brought to..ruine. |