| 释义 |
reluctant, a.|rɪˈlʌktənt|
[ad. L. reluctant-em, pres. pple. of reluctārī to struggle against, f. re- re- + luctārī to struggle: cf. luctation. Hence also F. réluctant (rare), It. riluttante.]
1. Struggling; writhing. rare.
1667Milton P.L. x. 515 Down he fell A monstrous Serpent on his Belly prone, Reluctant, but in vaine. 1820Shelley Liberty xv, Disdain not thou..To set thine armed heel on this reluctant worm.
b. Offering resistance or opposition to something. rare.
1726Pope Odyss. xix. 597 A while, reluctant to her pleasing force, Suspend the restful hour with sweet discourse. 1796Morse Amer. Geog. I. 382 The soil on the sea coast is hard, and reluctant to the plough.
†c. Repugnant, distasteful, to one. Obs.—1
1662Winstanley Loyal Martyrol. (1665) 13 Having eaten up most of the Horses..and whatsoever..could afford them Nourishment, though most reluctant to Nature.
2. Unwilling, averse, disinclined.
1706J. Matthews Serm. at Tewkesbury 8 They must..do some things with a trembling hand, and reluctant heart. 1766Goldsm. Hermit xvii, From better habitations spurned, Reluctant dost thou rove? 1777Watson Philip II (1839) 479 Mayenne was now as solicitous to persuade the duke..as he had been formerly reluctant and averse. 1858Longfellow M. Standish ii. 91 Taking the hand of his friend, who still was reluctant and doubtful. 1874Green Short Hist. iv. §3. 184 Edward was still reluctant to begin the war.
b. transf. of things.
1667Milton P.L. vi. 58 Reluctant flames, the signe Of wrauth awak't. 1712Blackmore Creation iii. 119 Did not Industrious Man..Extort his Food from the reluctant Soil..? 1774Pennant Tour Scotl. in 1772, 306 Here a wet sky brings a reluctant crop. 1796Scott William & Helen lix, Reluctant on its rusty hinge Revolved an iron door. 1864Tennyson En. Ard. 378 [They] bent or broke The lithe reluctant boughs to tear away Their tawny clusters. 1890‘R. Boldrewood’ Col. Reformer (1891) 305 The enormous treasure-pile..won from the reluctant earth.
†c. Tardy, dilatory, slow. Obs. rare— 1.
1797Holcroft Stolberg's Trav. (ed. 2) III. lxxi. 80 The..bones..may be those of persons who were too reluctant in their flight.
3. Characterized by unwillingness, disinclination, or distaste.
1725Pope Odyss. i. 22 Calypso in her caves constrain'd his stay, With sweet, reluctant, amorous delay. 1786Burke Art. agst. W. Hastings Wks. 1842 II. 219/2 Which late and reluctant consent and authority were extorted from him. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. ii. I. 171 He had been compelled to give reluctant attendance at endless prayers and sermons. 1856Kane Arct. Expl. I. xiii. 150 Thus fastened to the sledge, he commenced his reluctant journey. |