| 释义 |
† earthlingn.1Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: earth n.2, -ling suffix1. Etymology: < earth n.2 + -ling suffix1. In sense 2 perhaps so called because it follows the plough; compare German regional †Irlin, †Irdling (both apparently 19th cent.) kind of wagtail, although the exact relationship is difficult to explain phonologically; compare also German Ackermann pied wagtail, lit. ‘ploughman’ (more commonly Ackermännchen, with diminutive suffix); see further P. Kitson ‘Old English Bird-names (I)’ in Eng. Stud. 78 (1997) 490–1.In Old English form ærðling with vowel of first syllable perhaps by i-mutation of retracted a (see A. Campbell Old Eng. Gram. (1959) §193(a)); alternatively, this may be a Kentish form showing an inverted spelling of æ for e (compare the form ærðelond at earthland n. γ. forms). In Old English forms with eorð- and in form earthling after earth n.1; compare forms and discussion at earth n.2 Obsolete. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > ploughman or woman OE Ælfric 1st Let. to Wulfstan (Corpus Cambr. 190) in B. Fehr (1914) 128 And se eorðlingc ne erat [c1175 Bodl. 343 yrðling ne eræð], butan he erigan cunne. OE (1991) 39 Quia arator nos omnes pascit : forþam se yrþling us ealle fett. c1225 ( Ælfric Gloss. (Worcester) in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker (1884) I. 539 Arator, urþling [OE St. John's Oxf. yrðling]. 1714 J. Fortescue-Aland 79 [The Anglo-Saxon] Eorthling, is a Husbandman, or Earthling. 1838 H. W. Longfellow in July 94 The Danish boors, who were earthlings (yrthlingas) in the country. eOE Cleopatra Gloss. in W. G. Stryker (Ph.D. diss., Stanford Univ.) (1951) 82 Berbigarulus uel tanticus, yrðling. OE (1955) 105 NOMINA AUIUM... Tanticus, ærðling. c1200 ( Latin-Old Eng. Gloss. (Bodl. 730) in (1981) 62 204/1 Cucuzata, irdling... Birbicariolus, irdling. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online September 2021). earthlingn.2 Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: earth n.1, -ling suffix1. Etymology: < earth n.1 + -ling suffix1. With sense 1b compare earlier Earthite n. and earthman n. 1b. With sense 2 compare earlier worldling n. 1. the world > people > person > [noun] 1593 T. Nashe f. 60v Wee (of all earthlings) are Gods vtmost subiects. 1621 R. Brathwait 20 Star-staring earthling, puff'd with insolence. a1649 W. Drummond (1656) 132 Nature gaz'd on with such a curious Eye, That Earthlings oft her deem'd a Deity. 1797 J. M. Mason 38 At his command the treasures of the earthling shall flow in the service of the cross. 1819 H. Busk iii. 176 Shall we..in absence be betray'd, Like puny earthlings by a faithless maid? 1845 P. J. Bailey (ed. 2) 314 Behold this earthling standing by my side! 1945 Dec. 49 What seekest thou, sad Earthling? 2005 K. V. Anglin iv. 162 He has to be son of Adam, the only other sinless earthling. 1858 18 Oct. 2/3 The last time the great comet was seen by us earthlings is said to be three hundred years ago. 1892 W. Carleton 89 In Neptune I a story gat Few earthlings would indorse: Men treat their bodies well as that Of any blooded horse. 1930 Dec. 629 The intelligence of Martians, if there be any, must be far in advance of that of earthlings. 1949 R. A. Heinlein (1963) viii. 125 An Earthling has no good way to estimate the age of a Martian. 1965 J. Blish vi. 77 The Earthlings are now deep into the Heart Stars. 2004 5 Jan. 28/2 Nye also wrote a salute to future Mars explorers, inscribed alongside stick-figure drawings of dancing Earthlings. society > faith > aspects of faith > spirituality > unspirituality > [noun] > person 1600 W. Cornwallis I. xv. sig. I7v To see earthlings satisfied with such course stuffe. a1652 J. Smith (1660) v. iii. 137 It is not Gold or Silver that the Earthlings of this world seek after. 1719 No. 144. 2/2 When such Earthlings hear, or read, of a gallant Action or a noble Passion, they immediately conclude it to be all Romance. 1766 J. Rutty (1776) II. 145 The women are taking your crowns from off your heads, O ye boobies and earthlings of men! 1813 R. Socius in p. vii Every man, who is not a mere earthling..has a serious and important interest in the sound exposition of the sacred writings. 1866 W. R. Alger ii. 59 The cold earthlings who form the various embodiments of selfishness. 1965 M. Roe viii. 177 The Church might appear to have accepted enlightenment, but basically the priesthood sought power and wealth in a greedy, earthling spirit. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022). <  n.1eOE n.21593 |
