| 释义 |
cosmopolite, n. and a.|kɒzˈmɒpəlaɪt|
[ad. Gr. κοσµοπολίτ-ης citizen of the world, f. κόσµο-ς world + πολίτης citizen. Cf. mod.F. cosmopolite.]
1. A ‘citizen of the world’; one who regards or treats the whole world as his country; one who has no national attachments or prejudices.
Common in the 17th c.; but app. revived early in the 19th c., and often contrasted with patriot, and so either reproachful or complimentary. To this 19th c. revival nearly all the derivatives belong.
[1598Hakluyt Voy. I. 6 To finde himselfe Cosmopolites, a citizen..of the..one mysticall citie vniuersall, and so consequently to meditate of the Cosmopoliticall gouernment thereof.] c1618E. Bolton Hypercr. in Haslewood Anc. Crit. Ess. (1815) II. 254 Thou standest charged with a four⁓fold Duty. 1. As a Christian Cosmopolite. 2. As a Christian Patriot..3. As a Christian Subject..4. As a Christian Pater⁓familias. c1645Howell Lett. I. vi. lx, I came tumbling out into the World a pure Cadet, a true Cosmopolite, not born to Land, Lease, House or Office. 1657W. Rumsey Organ. Sal. Ep. Ded. (1659) 15 He who findes out any thing conducing to humane health, is the best Cosmopolite. 1809W. Irving Knickerb. (1861) 191 He was one of those vagabond cosmopolites who shark about the world, as if they had no right or business in it. 1834Medwin Angler in Wales II. 190 You..have merged the patriot in the cosmopolite. 1848Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 332 Some had passed a great part of their lives abroad, and..were mere cosmopolites. 1885Tennyson Hands all Round 3 That man's the best Cosmopolite, Who loves his native country best.
2. transf. A plant or animal at home in all parts of the world. So of proverbs, legends, or the like.
1832Lyell Princ. Geol. II. 101 Some species of the vulture tribe are said to be true cosmopolites. 1853G. Johnston Nat. Hist. E. Bord. I. 37 Sea-Rocket..A cosmopolite. 1853Trench Proverbs 42 There are others [proverbs]..which we meet all the world over. True cosmopolites, they seem..to have made themselves an home equally in all [lands].
†3. A man of this world, a worldling. Obs.
1614T. Adams Devil's Banquet 166 The vanitie of carnall ioyes, the vanitie of vanities, are as bitter to vs, as pleasant to the Cosmopolite or worldling. 1657Reeve God's Plea 80 The Devill..hath an Incorporation of Cosmopolites, an Host of Lucre-worms.
B. attrib. and adj. = cosmopolitan a.
1809Naval Chron. XXII. 201 Compunctious visitings of..cosmopolite patriots. 1852Dana Crust. i. 1553 These are cosmopolite species. 1862Merivale Rom. Emp. (1865) VI. liii. 327 His doctrines were essentially cosmopolite. 1872Bagehot Physics & Pol. (1876) 177 The existence of a cosmopolite Church. |