| 释义 |
cheapen, v.|ˈtʃiːp(ə)n|
[f. cheap a. + -en, or modification of cheap v., by the suffix -en.]
1. trans. To bargain for, ask the price of, bid for, offer a price for; = cheap v. 3. Also fig. arch. or dial.
1574Hellowes tr. Gueuara's Ep. (1577) 129 A Colte..the which he cheapened, bought, and brake. 1608Shakes. Per. iv. vi. 10 She would make a puritan of the devil, if he should cheapen a kiss of her. 1727Swift City Shower Wks. 1755 III. ii. 39 To shops in crowds the daggled females fly, Pretend to cheapen goods, but nothing buy. 1766Wilkes Corr. (1805) III. 173, I cheapened a pig..and was asked only eighteen sols. 1851D. Jerrold St. Giles v. 48 As though he was cheapening pippins at an apple-stall.
b. absol. To bargain, chaffer.
1620Quarles Pental. (1717) 66 A great Exchange of ware, Wherein all sorts, and sexes, cheapning are. 1883Standard 31 Aug. 2/3 To sell and to cheapen in the Market Square.
†2. trans. (?) To chaffer, haggle about terms with (a person), or about (a bargain). Obs.
1654Earl of Orrery Parthen. (1676) 541 His Enemies..without any cheapening, charg'd him so roundly, that, etc. 1677― Art of War 30 In..Field Engagements..where we intend not to cheapen an Enemy, but to fall on merrily. a1679― Guzman ii, I wish, whilst you are cheapening the Bargain, that they do not clap it up.
3. trans. To make cheap, lower the price of.
1833H. Martineau Fr. Wines & Pol. viii. 125 This..lessens the cost of production, and..would cheapen our corn. 1848Mill Pol. Econ. I. 113 Cheapening production. 1885J. Payn Talk of Town II. 240 His melancholy, perhaps, might have been put on with a view of cheapening the terms..with his employers.
b. fig. To lower in estimation, cause to be thought little of, bring into contempt, vilify.
1654Whitlock Zootomia 426 Meannesse of Birth, or slender Havings, cheapen the richest Abilities. 1668Dryden Tyr. Love iii. i, I find my proferd love has cheapend me. 1742Young Nt. Th. iv. 65 Who cheapens life, abates the Fear of Death. 1879Ouida C. Castlemaine 2 She was too proud to cheapen herself with coquetry.
4. intr. To become cheap (lit. and fig.).
1805Ann. Rev. III. 308 Corn cheapens in the Baltic when it becomes dear in the Mediterranean. 1886Advance (Chicago) 28 Jan. 49 The calm and quiet delights of home circles never cheapen.
Hence ˈcheapening vbl. n. and ppl. a.
1562J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 110 Cheepenyng of a face of furre. 1656W. Dugard Gate Lat. Unl. §798. 249 Contented with the moderate gain of the cheapening parties. 1773Brydone Sicily (L.) It is only after a long series of cheapenings that a purchase can be effected. 1863Fawcett Pol. Econ. i. viii. (1876) 86 Labourers are benefited..by the cheapening of any article of ordinary consumption. |