| 释义 |
unˈtellable, a.
[un-1 7 b, 5 b.]
Unspeakable, unutterable; indescribable.
In earlier use somewhat rare. Freq. from c 1880. The absence of evidence from 16th to 19th c. is remarkable.
1382Wyclif Ecclus. xxxvi. 16 Fulfil Syon with thin vntellable vertues, and thi puple with thi glorie. c1410Lantern Liȝt 136 Feer intollerable, drede vntellable. c1425St. Eliz. of Spalbeck in Anglia VIII. 113 With sobbynges & weymentynges vntelabil. c1440Promp. Parv. 367/2 Ontelleable, inenarrabilis. 1513Douglas æneid i. xii. 6 Thi desyir, lady, is Renewing of ontellable sorow. 1552Abp. Hamilton Catech. (1884) 16 The glore of the saule quhilk is untelabil.
1830Mrs. Opie in Brightwell Mem. (1854) 246 It fills me with untellable wonder and admiration of him. 1865Trench Gustavus Adolphus ii. 76 Which, though not absolutely untellable, had yet better remain untold. 1886Ruskin Præterita I. 422 The joy of approved love, and the untellable, incalculable motive of its sympathy.
Hence unˈtellably adv.
c1425St. Eliz. of Spalbeck in Anglia VIII. 109/21 Whanne þese and oþere lyke are doon often and vntellably. 1513Douglas æneid viii. ix. 38 The fader than..full tenderly Apone him hingis, wepand ontellably. 1889Missionary Herald Feb. 50 [The character of the people] is terribly bad,..untellably bloodthirsty, cruel, and lascivious. |