| 释义 |
simpleness|ˈsɪmp(ə)lnɪs|
[f. simple a. + -ness. Cf. Fris. simpelens.
The indefinite character of the early uses of the adj. simple is naturally reflected in this noun, making it often difficult to assign the examples to a specific sense.]
1. Absence of pride, ostentation, or pretentiousness; plain or unassuming disposition or manners.
13..E.E. Allit. P. A. 909 Now hynde þat sympelnesse conez enclose, I wolde þe aske a þynge expresse. c1380Wyclif Sel. Wks. (1880) 383 He þat is gratter of ȝow, loke þat he be made as ȝongar in sympilnes. c1400Love Bonavent. Mirr. (1908) 59 The mayster of mekenes and louer of sympilnesse. c1450Mirk's Festial 12 All his lyfe⁓dayes, he huld þat name of a chyld, and..mekenes, and sympulnes, and wythout maleys. 1509Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) 158 So muche were they geuen to simplenes And other vertues chiefe and principall. 1590Shakes. Mids. N. v. i. 83 Neuer any thing Can be amisse, when simplenesse and duty tender it. 1609Daniel Civil Wars vi. xxxv, Inlarge this vninquisitiue Beliefe: Call vp mens spirits, that simplenes retaine. 1866J. Ingelow Poems 194 In his reverend face There was a simpleness we could not sound. 1869Mrs. Whitney Hitherto ix, So rich and beautiful that it made me afraid; but for Allard's kindness and Mrs. Cope's simpleness.
2. Absence of duplicity or guile; innocence, integrity, guilelessness.
1382Wyclif Gen. xx. 5 In symplenes of myn herte, and clennes of myn hondis I dide this. ― 1 Macc. ii. 37 Dye we alle in oure symplenesse. c1400Mandeville (Roxb.) xviii. 85 Þe folk..wirschepez þe ox, in steed of Godd, for þe sympilnes and þe gudeness þat commez of him. 1401Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 71 To shewe the colour that signefieth symplenesse, and withinne..ȝe ben ravenous wolves. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 83 b, The nexte vertue in order is simplicite or simplenes, the contrary to doublenes. 1572J. Bossewell Armorie ii. 71 This byrde is the messenger of peace, ensample of simplenesse. 1616W. Browne Brit. Past. ii. iii, You ever did possesse No wisedome, but was mixt with simplenesse; So wanting malice. a1850Rossetti Dante & Circle i. (1874) 82 So much truth and simpleness entered into his heart.
3. Deficiency in knowledge or learning, ignorance; also, lack of mental acuteness, intellectual weakness, foolishness.
1387Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VII. 369 Aldredus, þat hopede to blende his robborie by þe sympilnesse of Wolston. c1400Mandeville (1839) xv. 167 It is no marvaylle thanne, that the Paynemes..beleeven more largely, for here symplenesse. 1479in Eng. Gilds (1870) 416 Such thinges as I of my sympilnesse haue not duely ne formably executed. 1482Monk of Evesham (Arb.) 90 By processe of tyme owther they be ouercumme by onstabulnes or els ben dysceyuyd by sympylnes. 1535Coverdale Eccl. xiii. 8 Bewarre, that thou be not disceaued and brought downe in thy symplenesse. 1555Eden Decades (Arb.) 150 Their sympelnes is suche that they nother feared the multitude or poure of owre men. c1620Z. Boyd Zion's Flowers (1855) 72 That by her promises..she gull not my simplenesse. 1668M. Casaubon Credulity (1670) 185 Our Author doth declaim against the simpleness, and credulity of ordinary people. 1873Browning Red Cotton Night-Cap Country 557 ‘Heaven,’ saith the sage, ‘is with us, here inside Each man.’ ‘Hell also,’ simpleness subjoins. 1894The Voice (N.Y.) 29 Nov. 7/3 Such were the men who, in vapid simpleness, caught at the impertinent refrain of some doggerel song.
†b. Foolish conduct or behaviour; a foolish act or thing. Obs.
c1450tr. Higden, Harl. Contin. (Rolls) VIII. 451 He wolde avoide from his servyce his cownsellours whiche movede hym unto that symplenesse. c1500Melusine 194 My lordes, grete symplenes it is to you thus to traueylle your peuple for nought. 1523Cromwell in Merriman Life & Lett. (1902) I. 43 Hyt ys but a Symplenesse for us to thyncke to kepe possessions in Fraunce. 1592Shakes. Rom. & Jul. iii. iii. 77 Run to my study:..Gods will, What simplenesse is this!
4. Poor or lowly condition; also, lack of elegance or refinement; plainness of dress, etc.
a1400–50Alexander 4051 Quen he þaire simpilnes sees he soroȝes in his hert, Pleynes of þaire pouerte. c1440York Myst. xviii. 16 Thow myghtfull maker, haue mynde on me, And se vnto my sympplenes. 1538Bale John Baptist in Harl. Misc. (1808) I. 113 Soch autoryte As thy grace hath geuen to my poore symplenesse. 1648J. Beaumont Psyche xx. clxxviii, Reverend John array'd in Simpleness, Did proudlyest-decked Mortals so excel. 1651Hobbes Gov. & Soc. Ep. Ded., Whatsoever things they are in which this present Age doth differ from the rude simplenesse of Antiquity. 1873Morris Love is Enough 86 He is poor, and shall scorn not our simpleness surely.
†b. Insignificance; trifling character or value.
c1440Promp. Parv. 456/1 Sympylnesse, or lytylle of valew, exilitas. 1530Palsgr. Ep. to King p. iv, The symplenesse of my poore labours in that behalfe. 1570Googe Pop. Kingd. Pref., Most humblie beseeching you to beare with the simplenesse thereof.
5. Absence of complexity; freedom from complications; simple character.
1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. iv. i. (1494) e iij b, For the symplynes [sic] of a boystous thynge is subtylnes. Ibid. vii. lxix. (Bodl. MS.), Hym nedeþ to knowe þe duyring, contrarynes, semplenes, qualite and quantite of þe pacient. 1502Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) Prol. 5 Prechoures of the symplenes of the gospell. 1609J. Dowland Ornith. Microl. 83 The Ancient simplenesse of Musicke. 1618Bolton Florus iii. xii. (1636) 210 The simplenesse and purity of that shepherdish originall continued. 1823Lamb Elia ii. Child Angel, O the inexplicable simpleness of dreams! 1882Nature XXVII. 51 From a simpleness in structure to a wonderful differentiation thereof. |