| 释义 |
sciamachy, skiamachy|saɪˈæməkɪ, skaɪ-|
Also 7 sciamachie, 7–9 scio-, 8–9 skio-, 9 skiamachy.
[ad. Gr. σκιᾱµαχία, f. σκιά shadow + µαχ-, µάχεσθαι to fight.
The Gr. word is explained as having originally meant ‘a fighting in the shade’, i.e. in the school; cf. L. umbratilis exercitatio (Cic.). It was, however, also used in the sense of ‘a fighting with shadows’.]
A sham fight for exercise or practice; also, the action of fighting with a shadow. Often fig.
1623Cockeram, Sciamachie, counterfeit fighting. 1637Ironside Seven Quest. Sabbath To Rdr. B iij b, Least thou shouldst perhaps think I affected a Sciomachy or Umbratilous skirmish. 1657W. Morice Coena quasi κοινὴ xv. 187 Their arguing against it is but a Sciamachy. 1748Answ. Scurrilous Libel 12 But enough of this skiomachy. 1833Thirlwall in Philol. Museum II. 170 A great part of Cotta's argumentation becomes a mere sciomachy. 1862Chr. Remembrancer Apr. 446 As we have no taste for skiomachy, we leave the fuller exposure of this portentous mare's nest to other hands. 1895Meredith Amazing Marriage I. viii. 88 It was a piece of skiamachy, difficult to render clear to the defeated. |