| 释义 |
coquetry|ˈkəʊkɪtrɪ|
Forms: 7 coquetterie, -queterie, 7–8 -quettery, -quettry, 8– coquetry.
[a. F. coquetterie (not in Cotgr.), f. coqueter to coquet.]
1. The action or behaviour of a coquette; the use of arts intended to excite the admiration or love of the opposite sex, without any intention of responding to the feelings awakened.
At its first adoption used more in the earlier F. sense of pretty or attractive pertness in women.
1656Blount Glossogr., Coquetterie (Fr.), the prattle or twattle of a pert Gossip or Minx. 1673S. C. Art of Complaisance 135 This pretty gossiping humour in women the French call by the name of Coqueterie. 1697Vanbrugh Prov. Wife i. i, Coquettry is one of the main ingredients in the natural composition of a woman. a1704T. Brown Sat. Woman Wks. 1730 I. 54 In vain your eyes with coquetry you arm. 1720Gay Poems (1745) II. 22 Yet let not us their loose coquett'ry blame, Women of every nation are the same. 1818Scott Rob Roy v, If there was any coquetry in the action, it was well disguised by the careless indifference of her manner. 1865Dickens Mut. Fr. iii. ix, Bella's colour deepened over the little piece of coquetry she was checked in.
b. (with a and pl.) A coquettish act.
1748Smollett Rod. Rand. xlv, I was guilty of a thousand ridiculous coquetries. 1755E. Montagu Lett. III. 320 An old batchelor and an old maid after twenty coquetteries, promising eternal love and constancy. 1873Black Pr. Thule xvi. 262 The boy..mimicked the shy coquetries of the girl.
2. fig. Coquetting with questions, parties, etc., without seriously espousing them.
1770Junius Lett. xli. 212 There was much coquetry between the court and the attorney general. 1830D'Israeli Chas. I, III. iv. 53 There was a good deal of political coquetry in the patriotic independence of..Wentworth.
3. transf. Attractive prettiness, winsomeness as the result of art.
1864D. G. Mitchell Sev. Stor. 249 What a charming coquetry in the sheep and shepherdesses of Watteau. 1873Browning Red Cotton Night-Cap Country 667 The house-front..one coquetry Of coloured brick and carved stone! |