| 释义 |
ˈwater-wings, n. pl.
†1. Wings having a watered or wavy surface. nonce-use [after water camlet].
1676Cotton Angler ii. viii. 74 The Camlet-Flie, in shape like a moth with fine diapred, or water-wings. [Cf. water camlet s.v. camlet n. b.]
2. Organs of propulsion in the water.
1835–6Owen in Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 294/2 We have already alluded to the use which the Penguin makes of its diminutive anterior extremities as water-wings, or fins.
3. (See quot.)
1841S. C. Brees Gloss. Civil Engin. 293 Water-wings, the walls erected on the banks of a river next bridges, to secure the foundations from the action of the current; they are usually battered towards the stream, [etc.]. Hence in later Dicts.
4. Inflatable floats which may be fixed to the upper arms of persons learning to swim, in order to give increased buoyancy.
1907Yesterday's Shopping (1969) 323/3 All Water Wings..support a man as easily as a boy..on just the level at which a person can swim or float comfortably. 1922Wodehouse Girl on Boat v. 102 A little undersized shrimp of a fellow with a green face and ears like water-wings. 1948‘P. Woodruff’ Whatever Dies 151 You could take it, if you would be bold and throw away your water-wings. 1976‘G. Black’ Moon for Killers iii. 37 Gloria's daughter was..dressed for the water..with..a pair of water wings. |