| 释义 |
ˈspritely, a. and adv.
Also 6 spritly, 7 -lye, sp'ritly.
[f. sprite n.]
A. adj.
1. a. = sprightly a. 1.
1606Shakes. Tr. & Cr. ii. ii. 190 Yet nere the lesse, My spritely brethren, I propend to you In resolution to keepe Helen still. 1670Cotton Espernon i. iv. 141 But the Commanders and Souldiers were such, that it was not possible to see any where a more complete, nor a more spritely Body. 1752Fielding Amelia Wks. 1755 X. 213, I fancy Mrs. Bennet hath been a very spritely woman: for..she discovers by starts a great vivacity in her countenance.
b. = sprightly a. 1 b.
1653A. Wilson Jas. I, 246 Being a Spritlye Horse..he saved both himself, and his Rider. 1680Spirit of Popery 56 Not daring to Attack the Coachman, because his Whip did fright his spritely Horse. 1752Young Nt. Th. i. 437 The spritely lark's shrill mattin wakes the morn.
2. = sprightly a. 2.
1654Whitlock Zootomia 342 No doubt the Soule needs..a well organiz'd Body, to exercise it[s] Functions with spritely Vigor. a1700Evelyn Diary 10 Mar. 1685, An aire of spritely modestie not easily to be described. 1774Mitford Ess. Harmony Lang. 149 Where this is the case a monosyllabic line may be spritely in its motion. 1927Daily Tel. 21 June 14/7 The programme was the usual compound of items serious and spritely—mostly spritely of course—and from time to time dancers and comedy cyclists flashed across the stage.
3. a. = sprightly a. 3 a.
1602Rowlands Tis Merrie when Gossips meete (Hunterian Cl.) 3 Not penny a quart, dull ale, nor drowsie Beere But spritely wine. 1669Digby Closet Opened (1677) 7 It [the mead] will be very spritely, and quick and pleasant.
b. = sprightly a. 3 b.
1598Marston Pygmal., Sat. iv, I see Th'art falne to wits extreamest pouerty, Sure in Consumption of the spritly part. 1638R. Brathwait Barnabees Jrnl. i. E, Furnish'd with their spritely weapons. 1821Lamb Elia Ser. i. Mrs. Battle's Opinions on Whist, She could not conceive a game wanting the spritely infusion of chance. 1981N.Y. Times 10 May xi. 23/1 The clams Casino..covered with a spritely seasoned well-blended onion-garlic topping.
c. = sprightly a. 3 c.
c1611Chapman Iliad xviii. 449 Youthes, and maides,..To whom the merrie Pipe and Harp the spritely sounds aduanc't. 1662Playford Skill Mus. i. (1674) 60 Such effectual melody..in such excellent Fug's and Spritely Ayres. 1789Burney Hist. Mus. III. vii. 410 A Consort..in 4 parts of a spritely kind such as were then called Fancies. 1977Monitor (McAllen, Texas) 9 Jan. 5c/1 Instantly the room is filled with the spritely, bubbling sound of ragtime.
d. = sprightly a. 3 d.
1662Playford Music (1674) 109 The Treble-Violin is a cheerful and spritely Instrument. 1670in Term Catal. (Arber) I. 49/2 Directions to learn to play upon that pleasant and spritely Instrument, the Flagollet.
B. adv. = sprightly adv.
1606Sylvester Du Bartas ii. iv. ii. Magnificence 924 There the Lord Zedec him more spritely bears, Milde, fair and pleasant. 1657F. Cockin Div. Blossomes 48 So lively glorious,..So Spiritly vigorous and Soul-reviving. 1898G. B. Shaw in Sat. Rev. 21 May 683/1 The younger generation is knocking at the door; and as I open it there steps spritely in the incomparable Max. |