| 释义 |
magnanimous, a.|mægˈnænɪməs|
Also 6–7 magnanimious.
[f. L. magnanim-us (f. magnus great + animus soul: corresponding in formation to Gr. µεγαλόψυχος, and in scholastic Latin used as its translation) + -ous. Cf. F. magnanime.]
1. Great in courage; nobly brave or valiant. Of qualities, actions, etc.: Proceeding from or manifesting high courage. ? Obs.
1584Mirr. Mag. 1 b, The incouragement, that the magnanimious Cesar gaue vnto his souldiours. 1589Warner Alb. Eng. Prose Add. (1612) 332 Elisa (whom the Phœnicians for her magnanimious dying, did afterwardes name Dido). 1665G. Havers P. della Valle's Trav. E. India 196 The first course seem'd safest and most considerate; the latter was more magnanimous, but with-all temerarious. a1719Addison Evid. Chr. Relig. iii. (1733) 25 The irreproachable lives and magnanimous sufferings of their followers. 1761Hume Hist. Eng. II. xli. 430 When she saw an evident necessity she braved danger with magnanimous courage. 1770Junius Lett. xxxviii. 189 note, All their magnanimous threats ended in a ridiculous vote of censure. 1828Scott F. M. Perth xxxiv, The Douglas..was too magnanimous not to interest himself in what was passing. 1858Longfellow M. Standish iii, For he was great of heart, magnanimous, courtly, courageous.
2. High-souled; nobly ambitious; lofty of purpose; noble in feeling or conduct. Now chiefly: Superior to petty resentment or jealousy, loftily generous in disregard of injuries. (Cf. magnanimity 3, 4.)
1598R. Haydocke tr. Lomazzo ii. 30 Ivstice being..a masculine vertue, hath manlie, magnanimious, considerate and moderate actions. 1604T. Wright Passions v. §4. 225 It cannot but proceede from a noble magnanimious minde to contemne all base iniuries offered. 1633G. Herbert Temple, Ch. Porch lvi, Pitch thy behaviour low, thy projects high; So shalt thou humble and magnanimous be. c1665Mrs. Hutchinson Mem. Col. Hutchinson (1846) 33 He was so truly magnanimous, that prosperity could never lift him up in the least. 1769Blackstone Comm. iv. xxxiii. 416 Richard the first, a brave and magnanimous prince, was a sportsman as well as a soldier. 1802Wordsw. Sonn., ‘Great men have been among us’, They knew..what strength was, that would not bend But in magnanimous meekness. 1847Disraeli Tancred ii. i, They think they are doing a very kind and generous and magnanimous thing. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 167 The magnanimous frankness of a man who had done great things, and who could well afford to acknowledge some deficiencies.
Hence magˈnanimously adv.; magˈnanimousness rare = magnanimity.
1606W. W[oodcocke] Hist. Ivstine xviii. 71 They should..see he had the like liberallity and magnanimousnesse of mind. 1611Cotgr., Magnanimement, magnanimously. 1614Earl Stirling Domes-day iv. lxxvii. (1637) 88 Who first from death by deeds redeem'd their names, And eminent magnanimously grew. 1796Burke Regic. Peace i. Wks. VIII. 159 With Hannibal at her gates, she [Holland] had nobly and magnanimously refused all separate treaty. 1851D. Wilson Preh. Ann. (1863) II. iii. iv. 126 A golden treasure which they magnanimously resolved should be equitably divided. 1862Mrs. Oliphant Last of Mortimers II. 257, I am not sure my great magnanimousness did not have a root in what Harry called ‘feeling extravagant’. 1885Manch. Exam. 7 Feb. 5/2 The French journals magnanimously drop their querulous tone. |