| 释义 |
Philomel, Philomela poet.|ˈfɪləʊmɛl, fɪləʊˈmiːlə|
Forms: 5–6 phylomene, 6 Philumene; 6 Philomele, 7– Philomel; 6– Philomela.
[a. F. philomèle, ad. L. philomēla, a. Gr. ϕιλοµήλα the nightingale, supposed to be f. ϕιλο- philo- + µέλος song, with vowel lengthened; but cf. ϕιλόµηλος fond of apples. The early form in -mene appears to have been due to some error.]
A poetic name for the nightingale. (In later use always as proper name, with capital P, usually with reference to the ancient myth of Philomela metamorphosed into a nightingale. Hence properly feminine, and involving the error of attributing song to the hen bird.)
[c1385Chaucer L.G.W. 2274 That Philomene his wyfes suster myghte On Proigne hys wyfe but ones haue a syght. 1390Gower Conf. II. 326 The ferst into a nyhtingale Was schape, and that was Philomene.] 1423Jas. I Kingis Q. cx, Vnlike the cukkow to the phylomene. 1576Gascoigne Philomene 129 To vnderstande the notes of Phylomene (For so she hight, whom thou calst Nightingale). 1579Spenser Sheph. Cal. Nov. 141 And Philomele her song with teares doth steepe. 1591― Daphn. 475 But I will wake and sorrow all the night With Philumene, my fortune to deplore. 1599Pass. Pilgr. xv, While Philomela sits and sings. 1634Milton Penseroso 56. a 1639 Wotton Descr. Spring 12 The Groves already did rejoyce In Philomels triumphing voyce. c1790Cowper Catharina vi, By Philomel's annual note To measure the life that she leads. 1798Coleridge Nightingale 39 O'er Philomela's pity-pleading strains.
Hence † philoˈmelian a. poet. Obs., pertaining to the nightingale.
1621Quarles Argalus & P. (1708) 101 The winged choristers of night..sweetly warbling out Their philomelian air. |