释义 |
ˈsheep-like, a. and adv. [-like.] A. adj. Resembling a sheep or that of a sheep; esp. in an unfavourable sense.
1596Norden Progr. Piety (1847) 123 He did foresee hypocrisy Should lurk in godly weed, And wolves in sheep⁓like tire to lie. a1653Gouge Comm. Heb. iii. 6 Believers are subject to wrongs..for their sheep-like and dove-like disposition. 1851Ruskin Sheepfolds 12 Christ's sheep may be guessed at..by their sheep-like behaviour. 1871Besant & Rice Ready-money Mort. xiii, Men possess largely them⁓selves the sheep-like propensity of following where one leads. 1891Farrar Darkn. & Dawn lx, The youth refused to kill himself with the sheeplike docility of so many of his contemporaries. B. adv. Meekly, submissively, pusillanimously.
1582Stanyhurst æneis iv. 84 Shal I dy sheepe lyke, not taking kindlye reuengment? 1590Marlowe 2nd Pt. Tamburl. iv. ii. 3751 See now ye slaues, my children stoops your pride And leads your glories sheep-like to the sword. |