| 释义 |
ˈnight-bird
[f. night n. + bird n.]
1. A bird of nocturnal habits; one that is chiefly (or only) heard or seen by night; esp. the owl or nightingale.
Also given as a local name for the Moorhen and the Manx Shearwater (Swainson).
1608Shakes. Per. iv. Introd. 26 When to the lute She sung, and made the night-bird mute. 1657Baxter Ministry §11. 6 The Owl will call the Lark a night-bird. 1752W. Mason Elfrida Poems 5 The night-bird's 'custom'd spray What time she pours her wild, and artless song. 1797Coleridge France i, Ye Woods! that listen to the night-birds singing. 1819Shelley Similes ii, As two gibbering night-birds flit From their bowers of deadly yew. 1840Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 195 The Moth-hunters have the same light, soft plumage..that characterizes other night-birds. 1890‘R. Boldrewood’ Col. Reformer (1891) 215 The..sound of the night-bird broke the profound..silence.
2. transf. Of persons: One who goes about at night; a night-thief.
c1546Crowley Confut. Shaxton E iij b, For the daye birdes can holde theymselues contente wyth thys lyght. As for the lurkinge night byrds that fle the lyghte [etc.]. 1618Dalton Countr. Just. 66 For as one saieth, such Night-walkers (or night birds) are ominous. 1646Boyle in Birch Life B's. Wks. 1772 I. p. xxix, These night-birds used to exercise their charity in easing weary travellers of..money and portmanteaus. a1721Sheffield (Dk. Buckhm.) Wks. (1729) 122 When o'er his Cups this Night-Bird chirping sits. 1870D. J. Kirwan Palace & Hovel xxxii. 481 When the dancing places..close, this door remains open to catch all stray night birds who can find no other resting place. 1871G. Easton Trav. Amer. 41 In Boston the cars run till midnight, and after that time one car runs every hour through the principal thoroughfare for the accommodation of ‘Night Birds’. 1900[see brunch]. 1939Joyce Finnegans Wake 438, I have every reason to know that rogues' gallery of nightbirds and bitchfanciers. 1974‘J. Le Carré’ Tinker, Tailor xxxv. 313 It was nearly midnight... He was a night bird. |