| 释义 |
credulous, a.|ˈkrɛdjʊləs|
[f. L. crēdul-us (F. crédule) + -ous.]
1. Ready or disposed to believe. (Now rare exc. as in 2.)
1579G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 86 Beinge over credulous to beleeve whatsoever is unadvisedly committid to writinge. 1596Shakes. Tam. Shr. iv. ii. 69 If he be credulous, and trust my tale. 1605Bp. Hall Medit. & Vows ii. 15 Not a curious head, but a credulous and plaine heart is accepted with God. 1697W. Dampier Voy. (1698) I. xiii. 364, I..advised him not to be too credulous of the Generals promises. [1839Longfellow Flowers xv, With childlike credulous affection. 1859Tennyson Idylls, Geraint & Enid 1723 Like simple noble natures, credulous Of what they long for, good in friend or foe.]
2. Over-ready to believe; apt to believe on weak or insufficient grounds.
1576Fleming Panopl. Epist. 216 Bee not credulous..and light of beleefe. 1604Shakes. Oth. iv. i. 46 Thus credulous Fooles are caught. 1687T. Brown Saints in Uproar Wks. 1730 I. 81 Seven as arrant imposters as ever deluded the credulous world. 1791Cowper Iliad xvi. 1030 And with vain words the credulous beguiled. a1862Buckle Civiliz. (1869) III. ii. 111 An ignorant and therefore a credulous age. 1876J. H. Newman Hist. Sk. I. iii. iv. 322 Well known to be of a credulous turn of mind.
b. transf. Of things, etc.: Characterized by or arising from credulity.
1648Milton Tenure Kings Wks. 1738 I. 323 That credulous Peace which the French Protestants made with Charles the Ninth. 1769Robertson Chas. V, III. x. 190 The credulous superstition of the people. 1871Farrar Witn. Hist. ii. 57 Credulous exaggerations.
†c. Believed too readily. Obs. rare.
a1625Beaumont & Fl. Faithf. Friends iv. i, 'Twas he possessed me with your credulous death. |