| 释义 |
ˈman-killer
a. A killer of men; a homicide.
c1440Gesta Rom. xxvi. 141 (Harl. MS.), Whenne they [the knights] were putte oute of the palyse, some of hem..bicome thevis, some man-killers. a1533Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) G ij b, Such as accompanyeth with man kyllers and murtherers. 1660R. Coke Justice Vind. 49 The Inhabitants of Switzerland..who..have..continued Mercenary Man-killers to the interests of the Pope. 1895Pall Mall G. 29 July 11/2 Even in those regions, where expert man-killers are by no means scarce, the style of shooting is altogether different from that of target shooting.
b. transf. and fig.
1899Daily News 12 June 9/3 The new Mark IV. bullet, known among experts as ‘The Man-killer’. 1929F. C. Bowen Sea Slang 89 Man-killer, a hard-working sailing ship in which accidents were frequent. Some ships earned extraordinary reputations in that way. 1957R. Campbell Portugal v. 86 They rechristened her [sc. a mare], Garota, or ‘dear little girlie-wirlie’, in order to..give the impression that this man-killer was as sweet-tempered and innocent as she looked. Actually she had already killed two men. 1964Mrs. L. B. Johnson White House Diary 24 July (1970) 183 This was a man⁓killer of a day for Lyndon.
So ˈman-killing vbl. n. and adj.
1693Dryden Persius iii. (1697) 446 A Spark, like thee, of the Man-killing Trade. 1880Chamb. Jrnl. 15 May 316/2 These cattle-devouring tigers..seldom take to man-killing. 1891A. Forbes in Daily News 29 Dec. 2/1 The mankilling power of artillery. 1899Times 27 Sept. 6/2 A new invention, either man-killing or labour-saving. |