| 释义 |
inconsistency|ɪnkənˈsɪstənsɪ|
[f. as prec. (after consistency): see -ency.]
The quality, condition, or fact of being inconsistent.
1. Want of consistency or congruity; lack of accordance or harmony (with something, or between things); incompatibility, contrariety, or opposition.
1699Bentley Phal. 481 What an inconsistency is there between the LI and LXIX Epistles? a1719Addison Chr. Relig. ii. iv, An eminent instance of the inconsistency of our Religion with Magic. 1818Jas. Mill Brit. India II. iv. vii. 260 That disappointment and distress which their inconsistency with the matters of fact rendered a necessary consequence. 1853Bright Sp. India 3 June, There is..great inconsistency between the speech of the right hon. Gentleman and that which he proposes should be done.
2. Want of agreement or harmony between two things or different parts of the same thing.
1651Baxter Inf. Bapt. 296 The inconsistency of sealing these two at once. 1721Bellamy Th. Trin. 28 Which two [Persons], though different, are inseparably united; which nevertheless implies not the least Inconsistency. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. x. II. 630 The one beauty of the resolution is its inconsistency. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 110 Nor is there an inconsistency in wise and good fathers having foolish and worthless sons.
3. With an and pl. Something that is inconsistent; a discrepancy, incongruity.
1647H. More Song of Soul ii. App. xxix, If those single lights hither aspire, This strange prodigious inconsistency Groweth still stranger. 1668Wilkins Real Char. b j, Affected phrases; which being Philosophically unfolded..will appear to be inconsistencies and contradictions. 1713Berkeley Hylas & Phil. iii. Wks. 1871 I. 329, I know that nothing inconsistent can exist, and that the existance of Matter implies an inconsistency. 1833I. Taylor Fanat. i. 6 A world of wonderous inconsistencies.
4. Of persons: Want of consistency in thought or action; esp. discrepancy between principles and practice, or between one action and another.
1665Glanvill Def. Vain Dogm. 54 If he sayes otherwise elsewhere, 'tis only an argument of the inconsistency of Aristotle. 1745Wesley Answ. Ch. 7, I am continually charged with Inconsistency herein. 1790H. More Relig. Fash. World (1791) 220, I dare not say this is hypocrisy, but surely it is inconsistency. 1836Hor. Smith Tin Trump. (1876) 204 Inconsistency—the only thing in which men are consistent. 1874Motley Barneveld I. viii. 349 James had given a new exhibition of his astounding inconsistency.
b. An instance of this; an inconsistent act.
1750Johnson Rambler No. 14 ⁋1 The many inconsistencies which folly produces, or infirmity suffers in the human mind. 1834Macaulay Ess., Pitt (1851) 298 The inconsistencies of which Pitt had been guilty. 1862Fraser's Mag. July 19 Such people talk edifyingly enough of the sins of Church-goers—their ‘inconsistencies’..their worldly gossip.
5. Logic. (See quot.)
1864Bowen Logic vi. 169 This new sort of Opposition or Incompossibility, as it exists between two Judgments which are alike in Quality, either both Affirmatives or both Negatives,..is called Inconsistency. |