| 释义 |
black flag
A flag of black cloth, used with some reference to death or deadly purpose: e.g. as a sign that no quarter will be given or asked, as the ensign of pirates, and as the signal of the execution of a criminal. Also in pl. applied to the pirates of the Chinese Sea, the opponents of the French in Tonquin, etc.
1593Nashe Christ's T. (1613) 7 The black-flag was set vp, which signified there was no mercy to be looked for. 1720Defoe Capt. Singleton xiii, We let them soon see who we were, for we hoisted a black flag, with two cross daggers on it. 1821Scott Pirate xl, Up goes the Jolly Hodge, the old black flag, with the death's head and hour⁓glass. 1827P. Cunningham N.S.W. II. xiii. 302 Every effort ought to be made to impress..upon..the multitude the terrible nature of our punishments, without permitting them to be..spectators... The having..a black flag with emblems of death hung out [etc.]. 1840Marryat Poor Jack xliv, I would hoist the black flag. 1870Brewer Dict. Phrase & Fable 301/1 To unfurl the black flag, to declare war. 1887Longm. Mag. Nov. 105 Mr. Brander Matthews alleges that certain English publishers can also run up the ‘Jolly Roger’ on occasion, and sail under the Black Flag. |