| 释义 |
▪ I. approver1|əˈpruːvə(r)|
[f. approve v.1 + -er1.]
1. One who proves or offers to prove (another) guilty; hence, an informer, an accuser. Now restricted to: One who confesses a felony and gives evidence against his accomplices in order to secure their conviction; one who turns king's (queen's) or state's evidence. [In this sense generally provour in AFr. (Britton) and ME.]
c1400Apol. Loll. 69 Oiþer he schal dampne þe prouar, or til he fauor þe accusar, þat miȝt not proue, schal iuge þe vngilty. 1533More Debell. Salem Wks. 976/2 Some peraduenture became approuers when they were caste, and called for a coroner. 1581Lambarde Eiren. iii. ii. (1588) 344 A Prouour..must beginne with confession of his owne fault, before he may be permitted to burthen an other man. 1586J. Ferne Blaz. Gentrie 315 He is the assailaunt, and is commonly called the approouer or maintainer. 1611Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xxiv. 851/2 Suffer neither the said prouer, nor defender to take any of their weapons. 1613Sir H. Finch Law (1636) 387 The Defendant confessing an enditement of felonie may accuse others, in which case wee call him an Approuer. 1679Trial Langhorn 27 An Approver, while he is in that service, hath a Peny a day. 1855Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 670 The testimony of a crowd of approvers swearing for their necks.
†2. One who proves, tests, or tries. Obs.
1541R. Copland Guydon's Quest. Cyrurg. Q ij, Whan that the approuers come..for to examyne them. 1691Wood Ath. Oxon. II. col. 444 [John Rowe] was appointed one of the Approvers of Ministers according to the Presbyterian way.
3. One who confirms, sanctions, pronounces good, or commends.
1548Udal, etc. Erasm. Par. 2 Cor. (R.) Jesus Christe is my witnes and approuer. 1611Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. viii. (1632) 581 Not onely.. witnesses at the doing, but also approuers of the deed. 1790Burke Fr. Rev. Wks. V. 30 Among the approvers of certain proceedings in France. 1835Lytton Rienzi x. vii. 427 The loudest grumbler..now the loudest approver. 1864Q. Rev. CXV. 196 Even the flesh of the conger has approvers in modern days.
▪ II. † aˈpprover2, aˈpprower Obs.
Also 4–5 approwour, -ouour, -ouer.
[a. AFr. aprouour, OFr. *aproeor, f. aproer: see approve v.2 In med.L. apruātor and approuātor; corrupt mod.L. approbātor. Ought to be written apprower.]
One who looks after the profit or interest of an employer; or who manages land for the owner; a steward or bailiff; an agent in any business.
[1326Act 1 Edw. III, ii. viii. (Stat. Realm, I. 256) Qils sount grevez par viscountes qi se fount nomer approuours le Roi. [1618 transl. in Pulton: That they be grieved by Sheriffes, naming themselues the King's approuers.] ]c1386Chaucer Friar's T. 43 This false theef, this Somonour..Hadde alwey bawdes redy to his honde..They weren his approwours [v.r. apprououris, aprouers, approwers] priuely; He toke hym self a greet profit therby. 1691Blount Law Dict. s.v., Bailiffs of Lords in their Franchises are called their Approvers. Approvers of the King are those that have the letting of the King's Demeans in small Mannors, to his best advantage. 1721Bailey, Approvers in the Marches of Wales, were such as had Licenses to buy and sell Cattle into those parts. 1758Month. Rev. 464 Wardens or approvers..Each in his county was almost usually the chief collector of the royal revenue. |