| 释义 |
prudential, a. (adv.), n.|pruːˈdɛnʃəl|
[f. L. prūdēntia prudence + -al1. Cf. med.L. prūdentiālis (9th c. in Acta Sanct. Boll. (1887) 64).]
A. adj.
1. Of, belonging to, or of the nature of prudence; involving prudence; characterized or prescribed by forethought and careful deliberation.
1641Ld. Digby Sp. 21 Apr. in Rushw. Hist. Coll. iii. (1692) I. 227 We must not piece up..the Defailance of Prudential Fitness, with a Pretence of Legal Justice. 1652E. Walsingham (title) Arcana Aulica: or..Manual of Prudential Maxims for the States-man And the Courtier. 1711Addison Spect. No. 181 ⁋7 To this I might add many other religious, as well as many prudential Considerations. 1770Junius Lett. xli. (1820) 217 Here, too, we trace the little prudential policy of a Scotchman. 1863Fawcett Pol. Econ. ii. vi. (1876) 195 The life of a hired labourer can exert no influence..towards cultivating prudential habits.
b. in New England: cf. next sense and B. 1 a.
1644First Cent. Hist. Springfield, Mass. (1898) I. 175 Power to order in all the prudential affaires of the Towne.
2. Of persons: Exercising prudence; (in New England) Appointed to conduct the affairs of a town, society, etc.: cf. B. 1 a.
1642H. More Song of Soul i. ii. lxxix, Prudentiall men and of a mighty reach. 1648N. Eng. Hist. & Gen. Reg. (1850) IV. 30 It is this day ordered by..the prudentiall men for the affaires of the Towne that [etc.]. 1795J. Sullivan Hist. Maine 221 In the year 1661, seven men were chosen to take care of the town affairs, under the denomination of prudential men. 1823Scott Peveril iv, The side of the Puritans was also deserted at this period by a numerous class of more thinking and prudential persons, who never forsook them till they became unfortunate.
†3. as adv. = prudentially. Obs. rare.
c1400Beryn 381 The hoost of Southwork..al thing wrouȝt prudenciall, as sobir man & wise.
B. n.
1. pl.
a. Matters that fall within the scope or province of prudence; esp. (in U.S.) matters of local government and administration for which there is no need to go to the law courts: cf. quots. 1644 in A. 1 b. and 1648, 1795 in A. 2.
1646Col. Rec. Massachusetts 4 Nov. II. 180 Every township, or such as are deputed to order the prudentialls thereof, shall have power to present to the Quarter Court all idle and unprofitable persons. 1648T. Hill Serm. Truth & Love 32 Divers things may be..better, and more safely settled as Prudentials, as Humane Constitutions, then as Divine Constitutions. 1697Boston Rec. (1881) VII. 228 Voted that the prudentials of the town is left to the judgment and discretion of the Selectmen. 1774E. Wheelock in F. Chase Hist. Dartmouth Coll. (1891) I. 263 Agreed with Frederick Earnest..to take the care of the kitchen, and inspect and conduct the prudentials of it. 1891F. Chase ibid. I. 565 The condition of the College in its prudentials was such as might well have led any one to hesitate to take the helm.
b. Prudential considerations.
1658–9in Burton's Diary (1828) IV. 23, I hear prudentials much pressed upon us, why we should not call the old Peers. 1726De Foe Hist. Devil ii. x. (1840) 322 Prudentials restrain him in all his other actings with mankind. 1838Southey Lett. (1856) IV. 565 As regards the prudentials of such an engagement, there will be additional means more than equal to any additional expenditure.
†c. Prudential faculties. Obs.
1679R. Mayhew in Spurgeon Treas. Dav. Ps. cxxxv. 4 Will not a man that is not defective in his prudentials secure his jewels? 1690C. Nesse O. & N. Test. I. 282 He puts forth his prudentials in providing for his safety.
†2. A prudential maxim or precept. Obs.
1719De Foe Crusoe 184 Religion joined in with this Prudential, and I was convinced [etc.]. 1734Watts Reliq. Juv. xlii. (1789) 119 The maxims of that philosopher are everlasting truths; and his prudentials will stand the test in all ages.
3. A person who urges prudence. rare.
1864De Morgan in Graves Life Sir W. Hamilton (1889) III. 604, I shall shock all the mathematical prudentials by standing up for the bare uncloaked infinitesimals. |