| 释义 |
inestimable, a. (n.)|ɪnˈɛstɪməb(ə)l|
[a. F. inestimable (14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), ad. L. inæstimābilis, f. in- (in-3) + æstimābilis estimable.]
1. Incapable of being estimated; that cannot be reckoned up or computed; too great, profound, or intense to be estimated.
c1374Chaucer Boeth. v. pr. iii. 123 (Camb. MS.) The gerdon of þe dyuyne grace which þat is inestymable. Þat is to seyn þat it is so gret þat it ne may nat ben ful ypreysyd. 1482Monk of Evesham (Arb.) 40 On tothyr syde of the forseyde hye hylle was so grete and inestymable coolde that ys to seye of snowe and Hayle. 1555Eden Decades 253 With great ingeniousnesse and inestimable pacience these nations haue ouercome much greeter difficulties. 1601R. Johnson Kingd. & Commw. 185 The number of oxen..and prisoners was inestimable. 1722De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1840) 47 The wealth consumed was inestimable. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 81 A companion of inestimable value for young men at their age.
b. Too precious to be estimated; of surpassing value or excellence; priceless; invaluable.
1579B. G[arter] (title) New Yeares Gifte, dedicated to the Pope's Holiness..in recompence of divers singular and inestimable Reliques sent into England. 1594Shakes. Rich. III, i. iv. 27 Wedges of Gold, great Anchors, heapes of Pearle, Inestimable Stones, vnvalewed Iewels. 1635–56Cowley Davideis iii. 1002 At last th' inestimable Hour was come, To lead his Conqu'ring Prey in Triumph home. 1771Burke Prosecut. Libels Wks. 1842 II. 492 This charter, the inestimable monument of English freedom. 1827Lytton Pelham xvi, He would have been inestimable as an undertaker. 1879M. Arnold Ess., Democr. 37 Of one inestimable part of liberty, liberty of thought, the middle class has been the principal champion.
†2. quasi-adv. = inestimably. Obs.
c1460Fortescue Abs. & Lim. Mon. vii. (1885) 125 This charge woll all wey be grete, and so inestimable grete, þat [etc.]. 1581W. Stafford Exam. Compl. ii. (1876) 67, I hearde wise men say, that the Queenes highnesse Father did winne inestimable great summes by the alteration of the Coyne.
3. [f. in-3 + estimable.] Unworthy of esteem. rare.
1811Henry & Isabella II. 210 None but the inestimable would offer insolence.
B. as n. A person of inestimable merit.
1727Fielding Love in Sev. Masques i. i. Wks. 1882 VIII. 12 But have I never seen this inestimable?
Hence inˈestimableness (Bailey vol. II, 1727). |