| 释义 |
needy, a.|ˈniːdɪ|
Forms: 2–4 neodi, 3–4 neody, 3–5 nedi, 4 needi, 4–5 nede, 4–6 nedy, 5 neddy, nedye, nedie, neady, Sc. neidy, 6–7 needie, 6– needy.
[f. need n. + -y1. Cf. MDu. nodich (Du. noodig), OHG. nôtag, nôteg (MHG. nôtic, noetic, G. nöthig), ON. nauðigr (Sw. and Da. nödig).]
1. Of persons, etc.: Poor, indigent, necessitous.
a. Used absolutely. (Chiefly as pl.)
c1175Lamb. Hom. 135 Delen heo þet euric neodi ðe heo biseceð sum þing þer of afo. a1300Cursor M. 103 Lauedi scho es o leuedis all.., To nedi neghest on to call. 1362Langl. P. Pl. A. vii. 14 The neodi and the nakede, nym ȝeeme hou thei liggen. a1450Myrc 1591 To þe nedy ȝeue þow large. 1560J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 47 b, What time the pore and nedye are releved. 1633Bp. Hall Occas. Medit. §138, I am sure I want no lesse then the neediest. 1764Goldsm. Trav. 307 At gold's superior charms all freedom flies; The needy sell it, and the rich man buys. 1801Med. Jrnl. V. 528 Not only to accommodate the poor and the needy, but to advance the public good. 1864Pusey Lect. Daniel (1876) 483 The sons of the needy.
b. In attributive or predicative use.
1297R. Glouc. (Rolls) 6780 Reufol he was to nedi men, of is almes large & fre. 1362Langl. P. Pl. A. viii. 51 The pore That is innocent and neodi and no mon hath apeyret. 1439E.E. Wills (1882) 130 To x of the nedyest parys⁓chirches yn the Cuntre by sidys. c1510More Picus Wks. 6/1 [To] releue the necessitie and misery of poore nedie people. 1576Gascoigne Steele Gl. (Arb.) 59 But fewe regard their needy neighbours lacke. 1611B. Jonson Catiline iii. iii, With the old needie troops that follow'd Sylla. 1738Pope Epil. Sat. ii. 44 Have you less pity for the needy Cheat, The poor and friendless Villain, than the Great? 1829J. W. Croker in C. Papers 21 Aug. (1884) II. 23 Our papers are now very poorly done, by needy adventurers. 1878Lecky Eng. in 18th C. I. ii. 246 For the education of his needy fellow-citizens.
transf.1630R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 626 In some places it is admirable fruitfull, in other places very barren and needy. 1868Lynch Rivulet cxlviii. ii, The sky is in its working dress, And needy earth befriends.
†c. In need of a thing. Obs. rare.
1597Howson Serm. 31 We..are..needy of all things but hunger and feare. 1601R. Johnson Kingd. & Commw. 111 They againe are needie of the waxe, honie [etc.]..which are brought thither from Prussia.
2. Of circumstances, etc.: Characterized by poverty or need.
1574R. Cox in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. iii. IV. 17 In this nedy and beggerly tyme. 1592Shakes. Rom. & Jul. v. i. 42 In his needie shop a Tortoyrs hung. 1638Junius Paint. Ancients 29 Our poor and needy life. 1674Temple Misc., To C'tess Essex (1680) 173 We bring into the world with us a poor needy uncertain life.
b. Of search: Close, anxious.
1867G. Macdonald Poems 19 That neediest search will not avail To find a refuge here.
†3. Under a necessity to do something. Obs.—1
c1400Love Bonavent. Mirr. ix. (B.N.C. MS.) lf. 29 As the childe Jesu were a pure man and not god, nedy to kepe the obseruance of the lawe.
†4. Needful, necessary. Obs.
1487Act 3 Hen. VII, c. 11 §1 Fullers..that shuld lyve and obtayne their nedy sustentacion by meane of drapery. a1535Frere & Boye 45 (W. de W.), Therto soone I assent, For that me thynketh moost nedy. 1608Shakes. Per. i. iv. 95 These our ships..Are stored with corn to make your needy bread. |