| 释义 |
apprehensive, a.|æprɪˈhɛnsɪv|
[ad. med.L. apprehensīv-us, f. apprehens-, ppl. stem of apprehendĕre: see apprehend and -ive. Cf. Fr. appréhensif, -ive.]
Characterized by apprehension; habitually apprehending.
†1. In the habit of seizing, ready to seize or embrace (an offer or opportunity). Obs.
1620Sanderson Serm. Ad Pop. i. (1674) 136 So apprehensive of but an outward enforced semblance of contrition from the hands of an Hypocrite. a1641Ld. Strafford (O.) I shall be very apprehensive of any occasions wherein I may do any kind offices.
2. Pertaining to, or fitted for, the laying hold of sensuous or mental impressions.
1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. iii. vi. (1495) 53 All the wyttes come of the vertue Racional and apprehensiue. 1589Puttenham Eng. Poesie (Arb.) 268 Illfauorednesse or disproportion to the partes apprehensiue, as..when a sound is either too loude or too low. 1671Milton Samson 623 Thoughts, my tormentors, armed with deadly stings, Mangle my apprehensive tenderest parts. 1862F. Hall Hindu Philos. Syst. 88 When the apprehensive faculties of the soul are in their full vigour.
3. Of mental faculties and their operations: Showing apprehension or grasp of a subject; intelligent, discerning, quick.
1621Burton Anat. Mel. i. ii. iii. i, If the Imagination be very apprehensive, intent, and violent. 1785Cowper Task vi. 612 In some [animals] are found Such teachable and apprehensive parts. 1863Mrs. C. Clarke Shaks. Char. x. 258 The reasons he gives..are neat, apprehensive, and witty. 1874J. H. Newman Gerontius 20 A sense so apprehensive and discriminant.
4. Of intelligent beings: In the habit or capable of grasping with the mind, perceptive; hence, quick to learn, intelligent, ‘sharp.’ Const. of.
1601Shakes. Jul. C. iii. i. 67 And Men are Flesh and Blood, and apprehensiue. 1627Lisander & Cal. iv. 63 Those who are apprehensive of love. 1636Heywood Challenge iii. i, My daughter is an apt, and wittie lasse: I know her apprehensive, and well-brayn'd. 1670Milton Hist. Eng. ii. (1851) 84 More fond of Miracles, than apprehensive of Truth. 1697Evelyn Numism. ix. 295 Spaniels..docile and apprehensive. 1868Browning Ring & Bk. III. viii. 1500 The lower phrase that suits the sense O' the limitedly apprehensive.
5. Having an apprehension or notion; understanding, realizing, conscious, sensible. Const. of or subord. clause. arch.
1611Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. vii. 70 The King apprehensiue of his meaning, called his Lords. 1683Lond. Gaz. mdcccxlix/2 We are deeply apprehensive of the Confluences of Blessings, which..we enjoy. 1764Harmer Observ. xi. iii. 104, I am apprehensive that this is an additional proof of the requisiteness of attending to the customs of the East when we would explain the Scriptures. 1843J. H. Newman Miracles 58 Miracles..wrought..by instruments but partially apprehensive that they are such.
6. Anticipative of something adverse; fearful of what may be about to happen. (Now the most usual sense.)
a. simply.
1718Pope Iliad xiii. 812 From death he flies, And turns around his apprehensive eyes. 1742Richardson Pamela III. 418, I am a sad weak, apprehensive Body; to be sure I am! 1837Carlyle Fr. Rev. iii. v. vi. (1857) II. 311 Though physically of a timid apprehensive nature.
b. with of.
1633T. Adams Exp. 2 Pet. ii. 22 Swine are naturally apprehensive of wind and weather, by an ingrafted knowledge; and run crying home before the storm. 1768H. Walpole Hist. Doubts 107 Noah's niece, being apprehensive of the deluge, set out for Ireland. 1848C. Brontë J. Eyre v. (1873) 37 Mortally apprehensive of some one coming in and kidnapping me.
c. with subord. clause.
1704Swift T. Tub Apol., Wks. 1778 I. 202 Being apprehensive it might spoil the sale of the book. 1756Burke Subl. & B. Wks. I. 224, I am apprehensive that experience was not sufficiently consulted. 1802Gentl. Mag. Mar. 282/1 He was apprehensive an operation would be necessary.
d. the source from which apprehensions come, or the object for whose safety they are entertained, may be expressed.
1665Boyle Occas. Refl. ii. xv. (1675) 142 Why should I be more apprehensive for my Body than my Mind. 1791Burke Nat. Assembly Wks. VI. 41 More apprehensive from his servants..than from the hired blood-thirsty mob without. 1836Macgillivray Humboldt's Trav. xvii. 220 They became apprehensive for the safety of their canoe.
†7. Capable of being apprehended, apprehensible; intelligible. Obs. rare.
1692Dryden St. Euremont's Ess. 176 Who cannot suffer that things should be rendred apprehensive to Idle Persons, which he has learned amongst the Ancients with pains. |