| 释义 |
low-ˈspirited, a.
[f. low a. + spirit n. + -ed2.]
Having low spirits. †a. Mean in spirit; abject, base, cowardly, paltry (obs.). b. Wanting in animation or sprightliness; dejected, dispirited.
a.1588Shakes. L.L.L. i. i. 250 That low spirited Swaine, that base Minow of thy myrth. 1655E. Terry Voy. E. Ind. 79 People..so low-spirited..that they dare not fight. 1760–72H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) III. 67 Low-spirited scoundrels, who rob the widow and the fatherless. 1795Ld. Auckland Corr. (1862) III. 283 This country is very low-spirited as to continental politics.
b.1753N. Torriano Gangr. Sore Throat 120 She was very low-spirited and hysterical. 1778F. Burney Evelina xxiii. (1791) I. 134 When we returned home, we were all low-spirited. 1833J. H. Newman Lett. (1891) I. 432, I was low-spirited about the state of things and thought nothing could be done. 1869R. T. Claridge Cold Water Cure 55 Where the patient is low spirited or unwell.
Hence low-ˈspiritedness, the condition of being low-spirited; (a) † Cowardice, meanness (obs.). (b) Dejection, depression, faint-heartedness.
1652J. Wright tr. Camus' Nat. Paradox vii. 145 Our low-spiritedness stretched out the neck to this blow. 1711Shaftesbury Charac. (1737) I. 230 Nor shou'd I..charge 'em with meanness and insufficiency on the account of this low-spiritedness which they discover. 1741–70Mrs. Carter Lett. (1808) 351 The low spiritedness..of which you complain, assures me you cannot be well. 1812W. Taylor in Monthly Mag. XXXIV. 410 The reverse of low-spiritedness is gaiety. |