| 释义 |
unsuˈpportable, a.
[un-1 7 b and 5 b.]
1. a. Too objectionable or annoying to be endured with equanimity or patience.
1586Sidney Let. to Walsingham 14 Aug., We are now four monethes behynd [with pay], a thing unsupportable in this place. 1654Nicholas Papers (Camden) II. 91 Indeed D. Gloucesters carriage to all persons is unsupportable. 1679South Serm. (1697) I. 130 A disgrace put upon a man in company is unsupportable. 1710Addison Tatler No. 221 ⁋4 A passionate Woman..is one of the most unsupportable Creatures in the World. 1792Burke Let. to Langrishe Wks. 1842 I. 558 The unsupportable mortification of asking his neighbours..for their votes.
b. Too oppressive or distressing to be endured; unendurable, intolerable.
1602Sir R. Wilbraham Jrnl. (1902) 50 Tyme and treasure, the wast wherof is unsupportable. 1644Milton Divorce (ed. 2) A 3 b, As well may he..redeem himself from unsupportable disturbance, to honest peace. 1750G. Hughes Barbados 17 This hardship is not so unsupportable to them. 1788C. Reeve Exiles II. 215 This thought was unsupportable; it led to despair. 1801C. Smith Lett. Solit. Wand. II. 243 The most unsupportable of all her distresses. 1832Brewster Nat. Magic xii. 309 A heat..unsupportable by the spectators. 1885Fargus Slings & Arrows 140 Had he by word or gesture shown that the constant presence of the man who had done his best to kill him was unsupportable.
2. That cannot be supported by physical strength.
1688Holme Armoury iii. 312/2 Goalers..when they meet with sturdy and unruly Prisoners, to Lock and Chain them to some strong Post, or unsupportable Block.
3. Not admitting of support or defence; indefensible.
1710Sir J. St. Leger Managers Pro & Con. 21 To support that unsupportable Sense of the Homilies, the Doctor produces the concurrent Opinions of many Learned Fathers. 1777Burke's Corr. (1844) II. 191 The unsupportable claim of this country to the right of taxing America without reserve. 1904A. H. Sayce Monument Facts & Higher Critical Fancies (ed. 2) i. 18 The unsupported and unsupportable assumptions of the modern scholar. 1984Times 6 June 5/3 The present overregulated system of air transport was quite unsupportable.
Hence unsuˈpportableness; -ably adv.
1664H. More Myst. Iniq. Pref. 4 To be affected, nay deeply and unsupportably afflicted. 1672Wilkins Nat. Relig. ii. vii. 386 'Tis the unsupportableness of this, that many times doth cause men..to chuse..death rather than life. a1697South Serm. (1715) II. 177 His Conscience..assures him, that he shall be infinitely, unsupportably miserable, if he does it. |