| 释义 |
breathless, a.|ˈbrɛθlɪs|
[f. breath + -less.]
1. Without breath:
a. Without respiration.
1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. v. xxiv. (1495) 134 A beest maye not wythout peryll be bretheles by longe space. 1675Hobbes Odyss. (1677) 66 Speechless and breathless was he, like one dead. 1766T. Chalkley Wks. 250, I had a Fit of the Phthysick, and was at Times almost breathless.
b. Lifeless, dead. (L. exanimatus).
1595Shakes. John iv. iii. 66 Kneeling before this ruin of sweete life, And breathing to his breathlesse Excellence The Incense of a Vow. 1697Dryden Virg. Eclog. v. 27 The Nymphs about the breathless Body wait. 1708J. Phillips Cyder i. 25 Guard each row With the false terrors of a breathless kite. a1819J. Hogg Flodden F. xiii, The fated arrow Breathless left the royal hero.
†c. Gram. Unaspirated. Obs.
1668Wilkins Real Char. 379 [Dentals] Such as are Breathless: Sonorous D, mute T.; Breathing..Dh, Th.
2. Breathing with difficulty, panting (as a result of swift running or violent exercise); out of breath, exhausted, spent. Also transf. and fig.
c1450Merlin xviii. 299 She was so hoorse and so brethles that on hire feet myght she not stonde. 1591Spenser M. Hubberd 1374 He fled All breathles. 1597Bp. Hall Sat. i. vi. (R.) The lingring Spondees, labouring to delay The breathlesse Dactiles, with a sudden stay. 1709Tatler No. 43 ⁋7 Breathless almost, and spent in the eager Chace. 1851Longfellow Gold. Leg. iv. (Nunnery) How I remember that breathless flight.
b. Holding one's breath, as with awe, expectation, excitement.
1802Wordsw. Sonn. ‘It is a beauteous Evening’ 3 The holy time is quiet as a nun Breathless with adoration. 1823Lamb Elia Ser. i. xv. (1865) 121 With a breathless impatience of recognition. 1850Alison Hist. Europe VIII. liii. 397 Europe, in breathless suspense, awaited the issue.
3. Unstirred by a breath of wind.
1815Wordsw. Evening Volunt. vi, The Mere Seems firm as solid crystal, breathless, clear, And motionless. 1881M. E. Braddon Asph. I. 238 Blue skies and sunny noontides..without the baking heat and the breathless atmosphere. |