| 释义 |
irresponsible, a. (n.)|ɪrɪˈspɒnsɪb(ə)l|
Also 7 -able.
[f. ir-2 + responsible. The variant in -able corresponds to F. irresponsable.]
1. Not responsible; not answerable for conduct or actions; not liable to be called to account; exempt from or incapable of legal responsibility. Also (by extension), Acting or done without a sense of responsibility.
1648Milton Tenure Kings Wks. (1847) 241/2 That no..tyrant..may presume such high and irresponsible licence over mankind, to havoc and turn upside down whole kingdoms of men. 1681–6J. Scott Chr. Life i. iv. (R.), What a dangerous thing..is it for men to intrust..their innocence and religion in such irresponsible hands. 1790Burke Fr. Rev. 39 They left the crown..perfectly irresponsible. 1860Motley Netherl. (1868) I. i. 2 Epistles which contained the irresponsible commands of this one individual. 1890T. De W. Talmage Fr. Manger to Throne 643 The prisoner was idiotic and irresponsible.
fig.1871–3Earle Philol. Eng. Tongue (ed. 2) §374 Our public-school and university life is a great wellhead of new and irresponsible words.
2. Unable to respond to a legal obligation; insolvent.
1890in Cent. Dict.
B. n. An irresponsible person.
1894Voice (N.Y.) 22 Feb., 8,000,000 workmen..would be frustrated by a body of legislative irresponsibles. 1897Daily News 14 Apr. 5/4 The Greek Irresponsibles: still raiding... The Turkish Irresponsibles: becoming restive.
Hence irreˈsponsibleness, the quality of being irresponsible, irresponsibility.
1655in Z. Boyd Zion's Flowers (1855) App. 38/2 Haisard in the security of moneyes throw the irresponsablnes of debitors. 1887G. R. Leavitt in W. Gladden Parish Probl. 205 It develops self-will and self-sufficiency in the pastor, and in the people criticism and irresponsibleness. |