| 释义 |
modestly, adv.|ˈmɒdɪstlɪ|
[f. modest a. + -ly2.]
In a modest manner.
†1. Without exaggeration, excess, or importunity; with due measure, moderately; with reserve.
1561J. Daus tr. Bullinger on Apoc. (1573) 36 After he [the Lord] speaketh modestly, least by exasperating ouer much the sinne and errour in the faythfull, he should trouble their myndes and discourage them vtterly. 1579Gosson Sch. Abuse Ded. (Arb.) 17 Euery man fedde modestly on that whiche stoode before him. 1581G. Pettie tr. Guazzo's Civ. Conv. ii. (1586) 99 A prince..must use his authoritie modestlie. 1606Shakes. Tr. & Cr. iv. v. 222 Modestly I thinke, The fall of euery Phrygian stone will cost A drop of Grecian blood. 1674Temple Let. Ld. Chamberlain Wks. 1720 II. 317 He believes the Point of Predestination the firmest that ever any body did, and laughs at any of them, that speak modestly of it. 1712Steele Spect. No. 280 ⁋3 Shewing how forcible it was to speak Modestly of your own Wants. 1735Swift Let. to Dk. Dorset 30 Dec., I desired you would bestow a preferment of one hundred and fifty pounds a year to a certain clergyman. Your answer was, that I asked modestly.
2. Without self-conceit or presumption; not arrogantly or obtrusively.
1568Grafton Chron. II. 738 He modestly aunswered, most noble and redoubted Lorde, this [etc.]. 1599Shakes. Much Ado ii. iii. 216, I could wish he would modestly examine himselfe, to see how much he is vnworthy to haue so good a Lady. 1638Mayne Lucian (1664) 335 Yet these speak much modestlyer then the Thebans, who derive themselves from a serpents tooth sown. 1690Dryden Don Sebast. Pref. (1692) 23, I think I may modestly conclude, that whatever errors there may be,..they are not those which have been objected to it. 1781Cowper Conversat. 485 Know then, and modestly let fall your eyes,..That air of insolence affronts your God. 1837Marryat Perc. Keene x, He hoped I was a good boy, which being compelled to be my own trumpeter, I very modestly declared I was. 1853J. H. Newman Hist. Sk. (1873) II. ii. ii. 92 Togrul kissed the ground, and waited modestly, till he was led to the throne.
3. With womanly modesty; decently.
1585T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. ii. xxv. 66 The women being..richly apparrelled, yet doe weare the same modestly. 1593Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, v. iii. 179 Mar. Such commendations as becomes a Maide, A Virgin, and his Seruant, say to him. Suf. Words sweetly plac'd and modest[l]ie directed. 1847C. Brontë J. Eyre vii, The hair to be arranged closely, modestly, plainly.
4. Comb. (cf. moderately b).
1870Ruskin Lect. Art ii. (1875) 41 No modestly-tempered..thinker would now take upon himself to decide. |