| 释义 |
‖ nunc diˈmittis
[L., the first words of the Song of Simeon in Luke ii. 29.]
1. The canticle beginning with these words.
1552Bk. Com. Prayer, Evening Pr. Rubric, After that, (Nunc dimittis) in Englishe, as foloweth. 1625Bacon Ess., On Death, The sweetest Canticle is, Nunc dimittis; when a Man hath obtained worthy Ends, and Expectations. 1872A. de Vere Leg. St. Patrick, St. P. & Impostor, Those Elders twain With hands upraised..sang the ‘Nunc Dimittis’.
b. Hence to sing (one's) nunc dimittis, to declare oneself willing or delighted to depart from life or from some occupation.
1642Nethersole Consid. upon Affairs 8, I should..cheerfully sing my Nunc dimittis. 1776J. Adams Wks. (1854) IX. 391 When these things are once completed, I shall..sing my nunc dimittis, return to my farm [etc.]. 1825H. More in W. Roberts Mem. (1834) IV. 257 If I could see the abolition of the slavery..in the West Indies..I could sing my nunc dimittis with joy. 1859Darwin Life & Lett. (1887) II. 232, I am now contented, and can sing my ‘nunc dimittis’.
2. Permission to depart; departure, dismissal.
1654Wotton's Lett. I. 120 (Stanf.), Yet my good Lord, at least procure me of my Lord the King a Nunc dimittis, leave to depart. 1699‘Misaurus’ Honour of Gout in Harl. Misc. (1809) II. 44 He tells the decumbent a long story of the pains and misery of life, in order to make his nunc dimittis go down the easier. 1829Edin. Rev. XLIX. 218 We shall now bow our heads to the nunc dimittis, come when it may. |