释义 |
bird-cage|ˈbɜːdkeɪdʒ| [f. bird n. + cage n.] 1. A cage or coop for a bird or birds. bird-cage clock (see quot.). Hence bird-cage-like a.
1490Test. Ebor. (Surtees Soc. 1869) IV. 57 De j lez bird⁓cage, cum ij lez ald bordes, j d. 1662Gerbier Princ. 17 Those who seem to have had for Models Bird-Cages. 1663― Counsel 46 Fit for substantial Structures, but not usual in Lime and Haire Birdcage-like-Buildings. 1691M. Pitt Cries of the Oppressed 105, I built a great House in Duke street, just against the Bird-Cages in St. James's Park. [Hence the name Birdcage Walk.] 1784Cowper Acc. Hares in Poems (1811) II. 425, I was cleaning a bird⁓cage while the hares were with me. 1851Mayhew London Labour (1861) II. 65 Some twenty empty bird-cages of different sizes hung against the walls. 1952Gloag Dict. Furniture 144 Birdcage clock, a modern term sometimes used to describe the iron or brass weight-driven wall clocks which were made in large numbers during the 17th century. 2. Sporting. The paddock at the Newmarket race-course in which horses are generally saddled. Also, a similar paddock at other race-courses.
1884St. James' Gaz. 1 May 7/1 All the favourites were brought into the birdcage. 1934Evening Post (Wellington) 13 June 6/3 The stewards' stand, however, has not yet been touched, and only the birdcage will be used at this portion of the course. 1940F. Sargeson Man & Wife (1944) 64 And didn't Fred and me get a kick out of taking the horses into the birdcages and leading them round. 1952M. Duggan in D. M. Davin N.Z. Short Stories (1953) 246 In the birdcage the horses for the first race circled and danced. |