| 释义 |
well-ˈnatured, a. rare (now chiefly Sc. and dial.).
1. a. Having, or showing, a good or benevolent disposition; kindly, good-natured.
1561T. Norton Calvin's Inst. ii. 86 For which reason we feare not in common speache to call one man well natured, and an other of euell nature. 1579Tomson Calvin's Serm. Tim. 443/2 A quiet and well natured mind. c1655D. Osborne Lett. xlix. (1903) 222 If this be a fault in me, 'tis at least a well-natured one. c1656Sir H. Cholmley Mem. (1787) 28 He was a well-natured man, charitable to the poor. 1677Dryden State Innoc., Apol. Her. Poetry c 1 b, These four lines, which have been sufficiently canvas'd by my well-natur'd Censors. a1721Sheffield (Dk. Buckhm.) Wks. (1729) II. 212 This great satisfaction of mind in doing any generous well-natur'd action. 1759Adam Smith Theory Moral Sentim. iv. i. (1781) 276 The social and well-natured James the First of Great-Britain. 1814Scott Wav. xxv, His brother's disgrace seemed to have removed from his well-natured bosom all recollection of their differences. 1818Hallam Mid. Ages v. (1819) II. 97 Brave indeed, well-natured, and affable. 1888D. Grant Sc. Stor. 37, I ken that he's weel-natured an' richt kind-hairted. 1921Galsworthy To Let ii. i. 119 He went as a well-natured dog goes for a walk with its mistress, leaving a choice mutton-bone on the lawn.
b. fig. Accommodating, obliging.
1711Countrey-Man's Lett. Curat 74 So well natur'd are some Arguments that they can equally serve two contending Parties.
†2. Of soil: Kindly, fertile. Obs.
1675Evelyn Terra (1676) 51 This [trenching] is to be done in severals, as deep as you think fit, that is, so far, as you find the Earth well natur'd.
Hence well-ˈnaturedness.
1679Penn Addr. Prot. ii. (1692) 225 You had better leave off valuing your selves upon the Mercy and Well-natur'dness of that Tenet. |