| 释义 |
satisfactory, a. and n.|sætɪsˈfæktərɪ|
[ad. F. satisfactoire (14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), ad. med.L. satisfactōri-us, f. L. satisfacĕre to satisfy. Cf. Sp., Pg. satisfactorio, It. satisfattorio.]
A. adj.
1. Eccl. and Theol. Serving to make satisfaction or atonement for sin. (Cf. satisfaction 2, 3.)
1547Act 1 Edw. VI, c. 14 §1 Vain Opinions of Purgatory and Masses satisfactory, to be done for them which be departed. 1631Gouge God's Arrows i. xxvii. 41 The satisfactory, expiatory, and propitiatory sacrifice of Christ Jesus. 1656Jeanes Fuln. Christ 324 Like pretended satisfactory punishments. 1664H. More Myst. Iniq. 113 That is to say, as Satisfactory penances, and not by way of correction and emendation of life. 1786A. Gib Sacred Contempl. 271 His meritorious service must be considered as running through all his satisfactory sufferings. 1897Cath. Dict. (ed. 5) s.v. Redemption, Christ..atoned by His passion, He merited by His holy actions, yet so that His actions were also satisfactory and His passion meritorious.
2. Serving to satisfy a debt or obligation. rare.
1604R. Cawdrey Table Alph., Satisfactorie, that dischargeth, or answereth for. 1781Cowper Conversat. 202 Then each might show, to his admiring friends, In honourable bumps his rich amends, And carry, in contusions of his skull, A satisfactory receipt in full.
†b. to stand satisfactory to: to consent to fulfil (a request). Obs.
1576Fleming Panopl. Epist. 59 If you will stand satisfactorie to my request.
†3. Of an explanation or argument: Serving merely to satisfy the inquirer, or objector; merely plausible. Obs. (Only in Bacon.)
1605Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. vii. §7 The handling of finall causes..hath..giuen men the occasion, to stay vpon these satisfactorie and specious causes, to the great arrest..of furder discouerie. Ibid. xxv. § 12 It is true, that knowledges reduced into exact Methodes haue a shew of strength... But this is more satisfactorie then substantiall. Ibid. ii. xiii. §4.
4. a. Sufficient for the needs of the case, adequate. Of an argument: Convincing. † Of an author: Treating adequately of his subject. b. That justifies a feeling of satisfaction; such as one may be content or pleased with.
1640Bp. Hall Episc. iii. iv. 240 How gladly should we heare him out, and returne him a satisfactory answer. 1641J. Jackson True Evang. T. iii. 206, I will..referre onely him that is scrupulous herein, unto a most learned, and satisfactory Author, Grotius. 1663Cowley Ess. & Verses, Greatness Wks. 1710 II. 745 [The prince] could find out no Delight so satisfactory, as the keeping of little singing Birds, and hearing of them, and whistling to them. 1651Life Father Sarpi 56 They first moved the Patriarch Priuli to deprive him of his faculty of confessing, thereby to shorten the father of his wonted, but poore, and yet satisfactory allowance. 1683Dr. Robinson in Ray's Corr. (1848) 135 It [the letter] was not so satisfactory as I wished. 1687A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. ii. 89, I could not learn of any a satisfactory reason for that last signification. 1756Burke Subl. & B. Pref., Wks. I. 83, I have endeavoured to make this edition something more full and satisfactory than the first. 1822Lamb Elia Ser. i. Chimney-sweepers, It is the time when..the kennels of our fair metropolis give forth their least satisfactory odours. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 45 But James supposed that the Primate was struck dumb by the irresistible force of reason, and eagerly challenged His Grace to produce..a satisfactory reply. 1860Tyndall Glac. ii. xxiv. 361, I also made a few experiments at Rosenlaui,..but the result was not satisfactory. 1863Geo. Eliot Romola Introd., [He] went home with a triumphant light in his eyes after concluding a satisfactory marriage for his son. 1907Hodges Elem. Photogr. 28 A cheaper but less satisfactory method.
†B. n.
a. A place or means of atonement or retribution.
b. One who makes satisfaction (for the sins of another). Obs.
1530Tindale Answ. More Wks. (1573) 307/2 For to punishe a man that hath forsaken sinne of his owne accorde, is not to purge him, but to satisfie the lust of a tyrant. Neyther ought it to be called Purgatory, but a Iayle of tormenting and a satisfactory. 1587Golding De Mornay xvii. (1592) 277 Among all people we see there were..Sacrifices to appease Gods wrath, Mysticall washings, and Satisfactories or Notaries that were charged with the sinnes of some whole Realme, Citie, or State. |