| 释义 |
† imˈprosperous, a. Obs.
[f. L. improsper unfortunate (f. im- (im-2) + prosper favourable, prosperous) + -ous.]
1. Not prosperous or thriving; unfortunate, unlucky, unsuccessful. (Of persons, enterprises, etc.)
1602Warner Alb. Eng. xii. lxxiv, Ah, falsed Matches, finished in the wrong of Others, might, By still improsperous Presidents, deterre from wronging Right. 1634W. Tirwhyt tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. I.) 168 That he no longer imploy those improsperous persons. 1727Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Fences, The improsperous Condition of Wood⁓land and Plantations. 1829T. L. Peacock Misfort. Elphin viii. 109 The household of Elphin was sufficiently improsperous during the absence of its chief.
2. Of fortune, etc.: Adverse to prosperity, unpropitious.
1598R. Grenewey Tacitus, Ann. (1603) 70 As fortune was favourable to Augustus in government of state, so in household matters unluckie and improsperous. 1603Sir C. Heydon Jud. Astrol. ii. 101 The action of the starres..became vnluckie and improsperous. a1656Hales Gold. Rem. (1688) 62 Bring upon them some improsperous Disease.
Hence † imˈprosperously adv.; † imˈprosperousness.
1594Drayton Matilda 598 Thus like a rose..The with'ring leaves impros'prously doth cast. 1647Hammond Power of Keys iii. 39 The improsperousnesse of the cause of late in this kingdome hath moved some of them. 1658Whole Duty Man xii. §9. 95 The strange improsperousness of ill gotten estates. a1691Boyle (J.), This experiment has been but very improsperously attempted. |