| 释义 |
▪ I. lessening, vbl. n.|ˈlɛs(ə)nɪŋ|
[f. as prec. + -ing1.]
The action of lessen v., in various senses. Diminution; † a degradation, disparagement.
1428Surtees Misc. (1888) 8 Lessenyng of y⊇ sumes of y⊇ paymentes. 1631Massinger Beleeve as you list v. ii, I take it as A lessening of my torments. 1661Pepys Diary 12 Nov., Though I love the play as much as ever I did, yet I do not like the puppets at all, but think it to be a lessening to it. 1692Locke Educ. §214 Their Thoughts run after Play and Pleasure, wherein they take it as a Lessening to be controll'd. 1714Mandeville Fab. Bees (1725) I. 292 We contribute to the relief of him we have compassion with, and are instrumental to the lessening of his sorrows. 1732Sir C. Wogan in Swift's Wks. (1841) II. 669/1 The very distinction [of English and Irish] carries in the face of it a lessening, and strikes the fancy with the ungrateful idea of misery. 1891Athenæum 18 Apr. 503/3 There is no lessening of this defect, but rather increase.
†b. See lessen v. 2. Obs.
1697Collier Immor. Stage ii. (1730) 47 A Flight of Madness, like a Faulcon's Lessening, makes them the more gaz'd at!
▪ II. ˈlessening, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
†1. In transitive senses: Disparaging; degrading, lowering. Obs.
1674N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. 138 This kind of leaping not being successive, but all together, 'tis but even a lessening and underly way of speaking to call it Motion. 1704J. Trapp Abra-Mulé iv. i. 1965 I'll strip off this vile less'ning Habit And deck myself with all the Pomp of War. a1705Berkeley Comm.-pl. Bk. Wks. 1871 IV. 426 The most lessening, vilifying appellations. 1711Addison Spect. No. 255 ⁋8 Such Indecencies as are lessening to his Reputation.
2. In intr. senses: Growing less, diminishing.
1730Swift Power of Time, If Mountains sink to Vales, if Cities die, And less'ning Rivers mourn their Fountains dry. 1792S. Rogers Pleas. Mem. ii. 45 From Guinea's coast pursue the lessening sail. 1810Scott Lady of L. i. iv, And of the trackers of the deer Scarce half the lessening pack was near. 1895P. White King's Diary 8 Amongst the lessening throng of dancers. |