| 释义 |
inept, a.|ɪˈnɛpt|
[ad. L. ineptus unsuited, absurd, foolish, f. in- (in-3) + aptus apt: perh. immed. a. F. inepte (14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.).]
1. Not adapted or adaptable; not suited for († to) a purpose; without aptitude; unsuitable, unfit. arch.
1603Florio Montaigne i. xxxix. (1632) 126 A manner peculiar unto myself, inept to all publike Negotiations. 1651Hobbes Leviath. ii. xxv. 134 The differences between apt and inept Counsellours. 1692Ray Dissol. World 142 The Air..would contain but few nitrous Particles, and so be inept to maintain the Fire. a1734North Exam. i. ii. §67 (1740) 65 The Parliament then in being..by all Experiments was found inept for the great Designs of the Faction. 1810Bentham Packing (1821) 268 Not to wrest power out of the hands of present possessors, but to render them somewhat less generally and flagrantly inept than at present for..the exercise of it. 1895Cornh. Mag. Oct. 380 Else the lawyers of the land were singularly inept when our soldiers and sailors were at their best.
b. Not suited to the occasion; not adapted to circumstances; out of place, inappropriate.
1675Baxter Cath. Theol. i. i. 49 If they mean Negative Propositions, it's true, but inept. 1858J. Martineau Stud. Chr. 121 If the doctrine were true, could anything be more inept than an allusion to it in this place? 1883Law Times Rep. XLIX. 555/1 He has merely used inept words which do not affect the preceding absolute gift.
2. Absurd; wanting in reason or judgement; silly, foolish.
1604Jas. I Counterbl. (Arb.) 102 As to the Proposition, That because the braines are colde and moist, therefore things that are hote and drie are best for them, it is an inept consequence. 1653H. More Antid. Ath. i. xi. (1662) 34 So soft and moistened by Drunkenness and excess, as to make the Understanding inept and sottish in its Operations. 1710Brit. Apollo III. No. 81. 2/2 She look'd on you as an Inept Animal. 1888R. F. Burton in Academy 20 Oct. 249/3 This policy of meddle and muddle, this ineptest interference with local administration for party purposes.
3. Law. Void, of no effect.
1818Scott Hrt. Midl. xxiii, Extrajudicial confession..was totally inept, and void of all strength and effect from the beginning. ― Br. Lamm. xxvii, As a transaction inter minores..the engagement was inept, and void in law. 1882–3in Schaff Encycl. Relig. Knowl. III. 2515/1 Edward III. died..and so the bull to the king became inept. |