| 释义 |
magnificence|mægˈnɪfɪsəns|
Also 4, 6 magnifience.
[a. F. magnificence (OF. also magnifiance), ad. L. magnificentia, f. magnificent-: see magnificent and -ence.]
1. As the name of one of the ‘moral virtues’ recognized in Aristotelian and scholastic ethics; rendering Gr. µεγαλοπρέπεια, explained by Aristotle to mean liberality of expenditure combined with good taste.
1340Ayenb. 168 Þe zixte stape of prouesse hi clepieþ magnificence. þise uirtue hi descriueþ þous. Magnificence is hi ziggeþ of heȝe nyede y-blissede bleuinge. c1386Chaucer Pars. T. ⁋ 662 Thanne comth Magnificence, that is to seyn, whan a man dooth and perfourneth grete werkes of goodnesse. 1506[see magnificential]. a1679Hobbes Rhet. ix. (1681) 22 Magnificence; which is a Vertue, by which a man is apt to be at great cost. 1691Hartcliffe Virtues 103 Magnificence..is a Virtue, that teaches us how to observe a Decorum in the managing of great and costly Expences. 1879Morley Burke 36 The noble mean of magnificence, standing midway between the two extremes of vulgar ostentation and narrow pettiness.
†2. Sovereign bounty or munificence. Obs.
14..in Tundale's Vis. (1843) 122 Graunt vs thys day of thi magnyfycence The gold of love the franke of innocence. 1473Proclam. Edw. IV 10 Nov. (Pat. Roll 13 Edw. IV, Pt. 2), For which we thank most humbly His infinite magnificence. c1502Joseph Arim. (E.E.T.S.) 51/456 Vnto the whiche god bryng bothe you & me Of his fauour, grace, and magnyfycence. 1508Kennedie Flyting w. Dunbar 421 Traistand to haue of his magnificence Guerdon, reward, and benefice bedene. 1631Massinger Emperor East iii. ii, His exorbitant prodigality, How ere his..flatterers call it Royall magnificence. 1647Sir C. Cotterell Davila's Hist. Fr. 10 That magnificence, he [Francis I] showed towards men.
†3. Glory; greatness of nature or reputation.
c1386Chaucer Prioress' T. 22 Lady thy bountee, thy magnificence,..Ther may no tonge expresse in no science. 1509Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) 104 God by his power and hye magnificence Made him a beast. 1545Primer, Third Hour E iij, Let tong & hart, strength and sense, Commende thy magnificence. 1611Bible Acts xix. 27 So that..the Temple of the great goddesse Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed. 1667Milton P.L. viii. 101 And for the Heav'ns wide Circuit, let it speak The Makers high magnificence.
4. Sumptuousness or splendour of surroundings or appointments.
1382Wyclif Dan. iv. 33 [36], I am ordeyned in my kingdam, and my magnyfience [sic: gloss or gretenesse], is addid to me. c1460Fortescue Abs. & Lim. Mon. vii. (1885) 125 It shall nede þat the kyng..mey make new bildynges whan he woll, ffor his pleasure and magnificence. 1500–20Dunbar Poems lxxvii. 28 Thow gart the orient kingis thrie Offer to Chryst..Gold, sence, and mir,..Schawand him king with most magnificence. 1553Eden Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.) 25 In what pompe & triumphant magnificence he sheweth him self when he goeth to hauke or hunt. 1671Milton P.R. iv. 111 Nor doth this grandeur and majestic show Of luxury, though call'd magnificence,..allure mine eye. a1720Sheffield (Dk. Buckhm.) Wks. (1753) I. 269 By these refin'd diversions, we perceive This town retains its old magnificence. 1796Morse Amer. Geog. II. 17 The fur [of the ermine] forms a principal part even of royal magnificence. 1841Trench Parables xii. (1877) 236 It was and is part of the magnificence of Oriental princes..to have vast stores of costly dresses laid up. 1859Tennyson Enid 296 His dress a suit of fray'd magnificence, Once fit for feast of ceremony.
†b. An instance or particular display of magnificence; a splendid ceremony. Obs.
a1533Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) C vij, It is a greatte magnifience to a man, to haue diuers sortes of meates. 1615tr. De Monfart's Surv. E. Indies 10 At this his entrie they made him a great triumph, with a long magnificence. 1652J. Wright tr. Camus' Nat. Paradox xii. 365 Such Pomp, Tiltings, Masks, Banquets, and other Magnificences. 1670Cotton Espernon ii. viii. 415 The Ceremony of this Marriage was perform'd in the Marquis de Saint-Chaumont's House,.. but the Magnificences at the Duke's own Lodgings. 1674Govt. Tongue ix. § 6 (1684) 151 With what gust and sensuality will they tell how such a jest of theirs took, or such a magnificence was admired?
5. Grandeur or imposing beauty of appearance. † Also pl. features constituting magnificence. Obs.
c1430Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 11 This tabernacle of most magnyfycence Whas of his byldyng. 1555Eden Decades To Rdr. (Arb.) 49 They..whiche in buyldynge of cities..haue so ioyned magnificence with profecte. 1645Evelyn Diary 6 May, That Cittie [Rome], with its Amphitheaters, Naumachia..and other magnificences. 1667Milton P.L. i. 718 Not Babilon, Nor great Alcairo such magnificence Equal'd in all thir glories. a1703Pomfret Eleazar's Lament. Jerus. i. 10 Where's now the vast Magnificence, which made The Souls of Foreigners adore Thy [Jerusalem's] wond'rous Brightness? 1860Tyndall Glac. i. xxiv. 175 The weather had been fine, and towards evening augmented to magnificence. 1879S. C. Bartlett Egypt to Pal. xxvii. 537 These ruins are remarkable, both for their great extent and magnificence [etc.].
b. of language or speech.
1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 456 The mean Matter which my Theme affords, To embellish with Magnificence of Words.
6. As a title of honour, applied to kings and other distinguished persons. Obs. exc. Hist. and as rendering of a foreign title.
[1278Rolls of Parlt. I. 1/2 Magnificentie Regis monstrant Abbas et Conventus Bordesleg'.] c1420Lydg. Assembly of Gods 82 Pluto to thy magnyfycence I shall reherse what thys creature Eolus hath doon to me out of mesure. 1598Hakluyt Voy. I. 150 The said Master generall therefore maketh no doubt, that al the aboue written damages..be altogether vnknown vnto your magnificence. a1604Hanmer Chron. Irel. (1633) 107 Your magnificence hath beene very carefull and studious how you might enlarge the Church of God here on earth. 1755N. Magens Insurances I. 300 Illustrious Lords, Respected Patrons! We the underwritten skillful Calculators, chosen and appointed by your Magnificences [etc.]. 1901Times 20 June 5/4 In reply to the toast of his health, proposed by the Burgomaster, the [German] Emperor..spoke as follows:—Your magnificence..gave us a sketch of the development of German yachting [etc.]. |