| 释义 |
apologetic, a. and n.|əˌpɒləˈdʒɛtɪk|
Also 7 apologetique, apollogetick.
[a. Fr. apologétique, ad. L. apologēticus, a. Gr. ἀπολογητικός fit for defence, f. ἀπολογέ-εσθαι to speak in defence: see apology.]
A. adj.
1. Of the nature of a defence; vindicatory.
1649(title) An Apologetic Declaration of the conscientious Presbyterians of the Province of London. 1724A. Collins Gr. Chr. Relig. 46 Many apologetick writings of the ancient Christians. 1875Encycl. Brit. (ed. 9) s.v. Apologetics, Augustine's..De Civitate Dei is apologetic in so far as it endeavours to show that Christianity and the church are the only ark of safety.
2. Regretfully acknowledging or excusing fault or failure.
1855Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xviii. 170 Forced to speak in a subdued and apologetic tone. 1867Dickens Lett. (1880) II. 295 All manner of apologetic messages.
B. n.
1. A formal apology for, or defence of, a person, doctrine, course of action, etc.
1605Bacon Adv. Learn. (1640) To Reader 1 The intended Apologetique..is not publish'd. a1733North Lives I. 335 That all, which did not then please, must be attributed to the Lord Keeper and not to him. A stately apologetic! 1751Jortin Eccl. Hist. I. 239 Tertullian, in his Apologetic, inveighs..against the inconsistency and absurdity of this.
2. pl. or collect. sing. The defensive method of argument; often spec. The argumentative defence of Christianity.
a1733North Lives (1826) II. 156 To drop these apologetics. 1834Penny Cycl. II. 169/2 The science of apologetics..was unknown till the attacks of the adversaries of Christianity assumed a learned and scientific character. 1882Athenæum 25 Nov. 700/1 The kind of book..most rational of all in the way of Christian apologetic. |