| 释义 |
softling, n.|ˈsɒftlɪŋ, -ɔː-|
Also 6 saftlynge.
[f. soft a. + -ling1.]
1. An effeminate or unmanly person; a weakling.
1547Homilies i. Agst. Adultery (1559) Y j, Nor adulterers, nor saftlynges, nor sodomites. 1576J. Woolton Chr. Man. L 6 b, Effeminate men and softlings cause the stoute man to waxe tender. 1605Sylvester Du Bartas ii. iii. iv. Captaines 983 Ador'd of Flatterers, Of Softlings, Wantons, Braves, and Loyterers. 1605I. Taylor Restoration of Belief 40 This Emperor—no softling himself.
2. A soft little hand, mouse, etc.
1817Keats Endym. iv. 316 This cannot be thy hand, and yet it is; And this is sure thine other softling. 1855Browning Fra Lippo 10 And nip each softling of a wee white mouse.
3. attrib. Of a soft nature.
1732Websted Wks. (1797) 198 A softling head! that spleeny whims devour. 1874D. Gray Poet. Wks. 137 With her softling finger tips She touched my hand. |