| 释义 |
magnanimity|ˌmægnəˈnɪmɪtɪ|
[a. F. magnanimité, ad. L. magnanimitāt-em, f. magnanimus magnanimous.]
†1. Used (with somewhat vague meaning) as the name of one of the virtues recognized in mediæval ethics. Obs.
Primarily this represented the Aristotelian µεγαλοψυχία (see 3), but in scholastic descriptions the notion was modified in accordance with Christian ideals, and blended with elements suggested by the etymology of the L. word (animus being capable of the sense ‘courage’); hence ‘magnanimity’ is often classed as a subdivision of ‘fortitude’ (so Aquinas, following Macrobius In Somn. Scip. i. viii. §7).
1340Ayenb. 164 Magnanimite is heȝnesse gratnesse and noblesse of wylhede..þis uirtue heþ tuo delles: greate þinges onworþi, and wel grater to nime an hand. c1386Chaucer Sec. Nun's T. 110 Right so men goostly in this mayden free Seyen of feith the magnanymytee. c1412Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 3900 Off magnanimite now wole I trete, Þat is to seyn, strong herte or grete corage. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 136 Magnanimity is the vertue, wherby man or woman hath a discrete doughtynesse..to speke or to do that thynge that they ought to do by right and reason for the loue of god.
†2. Lofty courage; fortitude. Obs.
(In some examples perh. the Aristotelian sense: see 3.)
1509Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) 206 For his strength and magnanimitie..One founde on grounde like to him can not be. 1560J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 322 This..magnanimiti in so great adversity [L. in rebus adversis animi fortitudo] got him great love every wher amongs al men. 1576Gascoigne Steele Gl. Ded. (Arb.) 43 Shall I yelde to mysery as a iust plague apointed for my portion? Magnanimitie saith no. 1610Willet Hexapla Daniel 62 In courage and magnanimitie superiour to Hercules. 1744Harris Three Treat. Wks. (1841) 107, I can bear whatever happens with manlike magnanimity. 1801M. Edgeworth Angelina ii. (1832) 13 The courage and magnanimity with which she had escaped from her aristocratic persecutors.
3. In the Aristotelian sense of µεγαλοψυχία (see below). Also, loftiness of thought or purpose; grandeur of designs, nobly ambitious spirit. Now rare.
In Aristotle the word (by modern translators rendered ‘greatsouledness’, ‘highmindedness’) expresses the attitude of one who, rightly conscious of his own great merits, is indifferent to praise except from those whose approval is valuable, regards the chances of fortune with equanimity, and, while ready to confer benefits, will seldom condescend to accept them.
1598R. Barckley Felic. Man (1631) 167 Carolus Martellus shewed great magnanimitie in refusing principalitie. c1651Hobbes Rhet. (1840) 437 Magnanimity..is a virtue by which a man is apt to do great benefits. 1717L. Howel Desiderius 74 We are indued with a spiritual Magnanimity, that sets us above the Desire of temporal Goods. 1761Hume Hist. Eng. II. xliv. 499 The queen's magnanimity in forming such extensive projects was the more remarkable. 1769Robertson Chas. V, xi. Wks. 1813 III. 267 That magnanimity of soul which delights in bold enterprizes.
4. Nobility of feeling; superiority to petty resentment or jealousy; generous disregard of injuries.
1771Burke Lett., to Bp. of Chester (1844) I. 271 It may be magnanimity in Lord Mansfield to despise attacks made upon himself. 1785Paley Mor. Philos. Wks. 1825 IV. 9 Forgiveness of injuries is accounted by one sort of people magnanimity, by another meanness. 1841Elphinstone Hist. India II. 219 The mean spirit of Mahmúd was incapable of imitating the magnanimity of his enemy. 1868E. Edwards Ralegh I. xiii. 258 Ralegh..on former occasions had shown towards Essex a wise and noble magnanimity. 1900J. H. Muirhead Chapters fr. Aristotle's Ethics 243 With regard to honour and dishonour, there is a mean called magnanimity, or high-mindedness, a species of excess called vanity, and a defect called pusillanimity or little-mindedness.
b. pl. Instances of magnanimity.
a1639Wotton in Reliq. (1672) 241 Some seeming Magnanimities being indeed (if you sound them well) at the bottom, very Impotencies. 1844Mrs. Browning Drama of Exile Poems 1850 I. 73 Aspire Unto the calms and magnanimities,..To which thou art elect.
†5. In occasional use: Affectation of grandeur; magnificence. Obs.
1658Sir T. Browne Hydriot. 48 Pyramids, Arches, Obelisks, were but the irregularities of vain-glory and wilde enormities of ancient magnanimity.
†6. water of magnanimity: any gently stimulating remedy. (Syd. Soc. Lex.) Obs.
1861Hulme tr. Moquin-Tandon ii. iii. 65 Distilled Ants (Water of Magnanimity). |