| 释义 |
madman|ˈmædmən|
[Originally two words: see mad a. and man n.]
One who is insane; a lunatic. Also transf. and hyperbolically, one who behaves like a lunatic, a wildly foolish person.
1377Langl. P. Pl. B. ix. 69 Faderelees children; And wydwes,..Madde men, and maydenes, þat helplees were. c1475Rauf Coilȝear 441, I am bot ane mad man. a1500Chester Pl. (Shaks. Soc.) II. 168 Madmen, maddmen, leeve on me, That am on god, so is not he. a1533Ld. Berners Huon xxiii. 68 He wyll come after vs lyke a madd man. 1601Shakes. Twel. N. i. v. 115 Fetch him off I pray you, he speakes nothing but madman. 1611Bible 1 Sam. xxi. 15 Haue I need of mad-men, that ye haue brought this fellow to play the mad-man in my presence? 1648Boyle Seraph. Love xiv. (1700) 84 The wicked's spite against God is but like a madman's running his head against the wall. 1674Marvell Corr. Wks. 1872–5 II. 424 Carleton the B[ishop] of Bristol hath played the madman in that City. 1796Morse Amer. Geog. I. 547 This hospital is the general receptacle of lunatics and madmen. 1810Scott Lady of L. ii. xxxiv, Madmen, forbear your frantic jar! 1843A. Bethune Sc. Fireside Stor. 75, I have been a madman and a fool. 1885Manch. Exam. 16 May 5/1 Policemen who find a half-naked madman howling at midnight. |