| 释义 |
▪ I. patchy, a.1|ˈpætʃɪ|
[f. patch n.1 + -y.]
Abounding in or diversified with patches; consisting of patches or small separate areas or tracts; resembling patchwork in appearance or structure. Also, occurring only in patches, or at separate points; irregular, spasmodic.
1798Trans. Soc. Arts XVI. 185 [A crop] in many places patchy, with intervals of four or five feet without any plants at all. 1845Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc. VI. i. 84 The land is patchy and of different qualities. 1872Huxley Phys. iii. 65 The layer appears patchy or spotted. 1882Gardener's Chron. 4 Mar. 295 A stone or tile edging is certainly preferable to a patchy Box one. 1895Kegan Paul in Month Aug. 458 Such a Life is often patchy and scrappy. 1905Sat. Westm. Gaz. 16 Dec. 15/1 That evening I noticed a peculiarity in the pit's applause. It was ‘patchy’. 1921Ampleforth Jrnl. Jan. 139 Scent was patchy and a good deal of lifting was necessary to maintain the line. 1957[see contagious a. 8]. 1967W. Carr Daily Tel. Beauty Bk. 23 Those who freckle have only groups of pigment-producing cells, providing patchy, inefficient protection. 1971Nature 30 July 352/2 The survey is patchy and by no means as up to date as one expects. 1976Shooting Times & Country Mag. 16–22 Dec. 38/1 Many countries report varied and patchy scent.
Hence ˈpatchily adv., in a patchy manner.
1903Daily Mail 7 Sept. 5/4 Shops,..started with some dim idea of being beautiful, have finished by becoming patchily tin. 1972Daily Tel. 24 Apr. 14/8 Anyone who bites or licks her lips to concentrate will soon look patchily fungoid rather than trendy. 1974I. Murdoch Sacred & Profane Love Machine 144 His face patchily pink. 1975G. Lyall Judas Country xxx. 220 I stepped cautiously out into the patchily-lit alley.
▪ II. ˈpatchy, a.2 colloq. or dial.
[f. patch n.2 + -y.]
Of the nature of a ‘patch’; cross, ill-tempered, fractious.
1862Trollope Orley F. II. iii. 20 He'll be a bit patchy..just for a while... To-morrow morning maybe he'll be just as sweet as sweet. |