| 释义 |
amphibian, a. and n.|æmˈfɪbɪən|
[f. as prec. + -an.]
A. adj.
1. Having two modes of existence; fig. of doubtful nature.
1637Gillespie Eng. Pop. Cer. iii. viii. 195 A certaine Amphibian brood, sprung out of the stem of Neronian tyranny.
2. Of or pertaining to the Amphibia.
[1847Not in Craig.] 1862Dana Man. Geol. 751 Amphibian Reptiles. 1878Bell Gegenbauer's Comp. Anat. 425 The Reptilia, which so far approach the old Amphibian phylum.
3. Of, pertaining to, or designating an amphibian (sense B. 3).
1920Glasgow Herald 26 June 7 A service employing flying boats or ‘Amphibian’ machines or a mixed service of sea and land aircraft. 1931R. N. Liptrot in Handbk. Aeronaut. (R. Aeronaut. Soc.) ii. 55 Where amphibian gear is provided add 4 per cent. of the flying weight. 1935H. G. Wells Things to Come v. 33 In the foreground a smooth-flowing river, or lake, that reflects the scene—suddenly the mirror is broken as enormous amphibian tanks crawl up out of the water. 1939War Illustr. 21 Oct. 186 An interesting development made by the Soviet army is the amphibian tank.
B. n.
1. An animal of the division Amphibia.
1835Kirby Habits & Inst. Anim. II. xvii. 137 If we go from the Cetaceans to the Amphibians, we see a further metamorphosis of the organs of motion. 1873Dawson Earth & Man vi. 144 In my younger days frogs and toads and newts used to be reptiles; now we are told that they are more like fishes, and ought to be called..Amphibians.
2. fig. A person having two modes of existence or a double character.
1902Daily Chron. 5 May 4/3 These quiet, undistinguished amphibians of Sunwich. 1903Ibid. 7 Jan. 4/4 Such is the natural logic of the amphibian.
3. A seaplane, tank or other vehicle able to operate both on land and on water.
1920Glasgow Herald 2 Aug. 6 The land tests for seaplanes (amphibians). 1923Sci. Amer. May 306/1 A Man-Made Amphibian..a successful boat that would also travel on its bottom, or on its own wheels rather, upon dry land. 1933Jane's Fighting Ships 1933 507/3 Aircraft in operation, 11 seaplanes, 2 UO seaplanes, 1 Viking Flying Boat, 3 Douglas amphibians. 1937L. Hart Europe in Arms iii. 31 There are great numbers of two-men light tanks which can ‘swim’ rivers and are based on the Carden-Lloyd amphibian. 1957R. Watson-Watt 3 Steps 350 Tests in a Walrus amphibian on the slipway showed a useful surface-to-surface range. |