| 释义 |
lady-bird|ˈleɪdɪbɜːd|
[In sense 1, f. lady n. 3 (genitive, as in lady-day). Cf. G. Marienhuhn, Marienkäfer, Marienwürmchen.]
1. The common name for the coleopterous insects belonging to the genus Coccinella.
1704A. van Leeuwenhoek in Phil. Trans. XXV. 1615 Flies, in likeness to Cow-ladies or Lady-birds, as some call 'em. 1816Kirby & Sp. Entomol. II. 9 Many years ago, those [sc. the banks] of the Humber were so thickly strewed with the common Lady-bird (C. Septempunctata, L.) that [etc.]. 1861Delamer Fl. Gard. 169 Encourage lady-birds..which eat or rather suck the aphides.
2. A sweetheart. (Often used as a term of endearment.)
1592Shakes. Rom. & Jul. i. iii. 3 What Lamb: what Lady-bird..Where's this Girle? 1599B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. ii. i, Is that your new ruffe, sweet lady-bird? 1656R. Fletcher Poems 176 A cast of Lacquyes, and a Lady-bird. a1700B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Lady-birds, Light or Lewd Women. 1858Lytton What will he do i. xiv, Let us come into the town, lady bird, and choose a doll.
3. The pintail duck, Anas acuta.
1885C. Swainson Provincial Names & Folklore Brit. Birds 155 Pintail (Dafila acuta)... Also called Cracker, Winter duck, Lady bird (Dublin Bay). From its grace of form. 1917T. G. Pearson Birds Amer. I. 128 Pintail. Dafila acuta... Winter Duck; Lady-bird; Long-necked Cracker. 1968C. E. Jackson Brit. Names of Birds 61 Pintail..lady bird Ire[land]. |