| 释义 |
pathfinder, n. (Formerly at path n.1 5.) orig. U.S.|ˈpɑːθfaɪndə(r), ˈpæθ-|
[f. path n. + finder n.]
1. a. One who discovers a path or way, an explorer; spec. one of the frontiersmen or pioneers who settled in and explored the American West. Also fig.
1840J. F. Cooper (title) The pathfinder. 1866Harper's Mag. June 28/1 The great Pathfinder, unfortunately for himself, took the wrong path. 1876Bancroft Hist. U.S. I. ii. 32 A great forerunner among the pathfinders across the continent. 1932C. Fuller Louis Trigardt's Trek 18 These were the ‘pathfinders’ of the greater movement that followed in their wake. 1987New England Monthly June 30/2 My daughter needs confidence, a few pathfinder's tips toward adulthood.
b. spec. in Scouting and Guiding. The name of a badge awarded for knowledge of local geography (see quot. 1911). Also occas. used of a Boy Scout or member of a similar organization.
1911Boy Scout Tests 244 Pathfinder Badge. It is necessary to know every lane, by-path, and short cut for a distance of at least two miles in every direction around the local Scouts' headquarters..or for one mile if in a town. 1914Girl Guides' Gaz. Jan. 8 (in figure) Girl Guide Proficiency Badges... Hospital Nurse..Pathfinder..Flyer. 1928Observer 5 Feb. 16/5 Before the war ‘Pathfinders’ were founded. This was the first German attempt to apply the rules and regulations of Boy Scouts as known in Britain. 1938‘Gilcraft’ Outdoor Badges 47 A wealthy American in 1909 was trying to find a difficult address in London. A boy (who was a Scout) came up to him and asked: ‘Can I help you, sir?’ The American told him the address he was looking for, and the Scout at once took him there... That boy was a Pathfinder... He knew his London. That is the stage you have to reach to gain the Pathfinder Badge. 1986Scouting Mar. 6/3 The Pathfinder Award is the worst, being a bright luminous green.
c. An aircraft sent ahead of bombing aircraft to locate and mark out the target for attack; also, the pilot of such an aircraft, or any person sent ahead to mark out a site for bombing, for the dropping of troops or supplies, etc.
1943Times 25 Nov. 4/4 Red tracer bullets were continually fired from the ground at the pathfinders' flares. 1944[see marker n. 3 c]. 1946R.A.F. Jrnl. May 168 For the crews of Bomber Command's Pathfinder Force it was all a question of time. 1959R. Collier City that wouldn't Die i. 22 As pathfinders their function was to spotlight the target..with thousands of chandelier flares and incendiary bombs. 1974C. Ryan Bridge too Far iii. i. 136 In them were U.S. and British pathfinders—the men who would land first to mark landing and drop zones for the Market forces. 1977Times 10 June 16/3 A former wartime Pathfinder with DFC and Bar.
d. A member of an Anglican organization for children of secondary school age founded in 1952, and subsequently of other similar youth organizations.
1960T. L. Livermore in R. E. H. Bowdler Pathfinder Syllabus Outline Notes—Year 1 3 Pathfinders is an Anglican attempt to meet the special needs of secondary schoolchildren. The routine and terminology of Sunday School are left behind at 11+ and the developing interests in people and causes are reflected in the syllabus which is planned to cover a four-year course. 1962Orbit Jan. 3/1 It was at Tolworth in Surrey that the Rev. H. C. Taylor, who was then Curate-in-Charge of Emmanuel Church, was led to begin the first Pathfinder Group. Ibid. 3/2 Pathfinders regard the Lord Himself as their real Pathfinder Leader. 1989Church Times 10 Mar. 20/5 (Advt.), CPAS are wanting to appoint a person of informed evangelical conviction and of proven management ability to be responsible for its CYFA, Pathfinder, Explorer/Climber/Scrambler Sections.
2. fig. A person who seeks out or promulgates new ideas, etc.; a ‘trail-blazer’ or trend-setter.
1898W. James Coll. Ess. & Rev. (1920) 408 Philosophers are after all like poets. They are path-finders. 1973Nature 2 Mar. 67/1 He was an inventor and an innovator, a path-finder and prognosticator. 1984B. Reid So Much Love viii. 129 We were path-finders. In the British theatre nobody before had spoken about Lesbianism.
3. Special Comb. pathfinder prospectus Comm., a prospectus which contains information relating to the proposed flotation of a company but does not state the expected price of shares, and which is issued prior to the official prospectus.
1984Times 23 Aug. 15/1 As with the Jaguar issue last month, there will be a ‘*pathfinder’ or ‘red herring’ prospectus, circulated among the institutions, and perhaps more widely in the two to three weeks before the issue. 1986Sunday Tel. 2 Nov. 23/2 British Gas unveiled its pathfinder prospectus last Friday. |