释义 |
work-brittle, a. dial. Also -brattle, -brackle, etc. (see Eng. Dial. Dict. s.v. Work-bracco). [f. work n. or v.; the second element appears to be brittle a., but the sense-development is obscure.] Eager to work, industrious.
1647Trapp Marrow Gd. Authors in Comm. Ep. 627 What need she [sc. Anne Bullen] be so work-brittle, being a Queen? 1691Ray N.C. Words, Worch-bracco, i.e. work-brittle, very diligent; earnest or intent upon one's work. a1800Pegge Suppl. Grose, Warck-brattle, fond of work. Lanc. 1881Oxfordsh. Gloss. Suppl. (E.D.S.), Work-brittle, eager to work. |