prowessn.

Brit.

/ˈpraʊᵻs/,

/ˈpraʊɛs/,

/praʊˈɛs/, U.S.

/ˈpraʊ(w)əs/

Forms: Middle English preues, Middle English proes, Middle English proesce, Middle English proues, Middle English prouesce, Middle English prouese, Middle English prouwesse, Middle English prouwis, Middle English proves, Middle English provesse, Middle English prowesche, Middle English prowez, Middle English prowis, Middle English pruesce, Middle English pruesse, Middle English–1500s prosse, Middle English–1500s prouesse, Middle English–1500s prowse, Middle English–1600s proesse, Middle English–1600s prowes, Middle English–1600s prowesse, 1500s pruice, 1500s– prowess, 1600s proësse; Scottish pre-1700 proues, pre-1700 prouese, pre-1700 proves, pre-1700 provese, pre-1700 provess, pre-1700 provesse, pre-1700 prowes, pre-1700 prowesse, pre-1700 prowest, pre-1700 prowis, pre-1700 prowys, 1700s– prowess.

Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymons: French pruesce, prowesse, proece.

Etymology: < Anglo-Norman pruesce, pruesse, pruez, prowesce, prowesse, prouwesce, proueise, prueise, prueisse, Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French proece, proesce, proesse, proeise, Middle French prouesse (French prouesse ) valour, bravery, gallantry (c1100 in Anglo-Norman), act of bravery, valiant deed (c1100 in Anglo-Norman) < prou , etc. (see proud adj.) + -esse -ess suffix². Compare Old Occitan proeza (a1126), Catalan proesa (13th cent.), Spanish proeza (c1250), Portuguese proeza (13th cent.), Italian prodezza (a1243 as prodeça).In Middle English and early modern English pronunciations both as monosyllable and as disyllable were current; in addition to the evidence of the spellings, compare E. J. Dobson Eng. Pronunc. 1500–1700 (ed. 2, 1968) II. §309 (and also §176 on the quality of the vowel). However, although the word is not very common in rhyming position in verse (presumably because of the scarcity of suitable rhymes, unless only the second syllable is rhymed), such rhymes as do occur show a disyllabic pronunciation. Pronunciations with stress on the first syllable are usual in pronouncing dictionaries of the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries.

a. As a count noun. An act of bravery; a valiant deed; a daring feat or exploit. Chiefly in plural. Now historical or literary.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > courage > valour > deed of valour > [noun]

deedOE

jeopardya1300

prowessc1300

gestsa1340

jesta1400

facta1525

c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) 556 (MED) Ihc wulle do pruesse [c1300 Laud pruesce] For þi luue in þe felde, Mid spere & mid schelde.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 59 Ine þise boȝe byeþ..vif manere of yelpinges; On is..þe zenne of þan þet zuo bleþeliche recordeþ hare dedes and hare prowesses [c1450 Bk. Vices & Virtues douȝtenesses].

a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) vi. 2193 (MED) Hard to remembre his conquestis euerichon, Alle the prowessis of this knihtli man.

a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll.) 212 The knyghtes of Rounde Table..spoke of the grete prouesse that the messyngers ded that day thorow dedys of armys.

a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 205 (MED) The iiije. cause why that this nobill erle sholde not haue vayne glory of this forsayde proesses is the lytill thanke that he had.

a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) Prol. p. i^v The chyualrous feates and marcyall Prowesses of the vyctoryous Knyghtes of tymes paste.

1560 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique (new ed.) i. f. 7 By these men, worthy prowesses haue been dooen.

1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies v. ix. 352 To do those actes and prowesses which shall be spoken of.

1694 E. Phillips tr. J. Milton Lett. of State 270 That so signal a Prowess and Fortitude may never..be depriv'd the Fruit and due Applause of all your Pious Undertakings.

1721 J. Strype Eccl. Memorials II. xxxii. 269 The victorious Acts and Prowesses of sundry noble Princes.

1779 C. Dibdin Chelsea Pensioner i. 2 We may boast and chatter of our prowesses, but love is the only goal for which we start upon the course of honour.

1800 M. Keatinge tr. B. Díaz del Castillo True Hist. Conquest Mexico iii. x. 503 I request of you..you exalt to more effect your most virtuous and excellent voice, in order that our high prowesses may be known to the universe.

1891 Galveston (Texas) Daily News 5 July 14/1 These..records contain prowesses equal to those of the paladins of old.

1925 Folk-lore 36 308 The first deals with the fate of the hero, Iason, his birth, his prowesses in a far-off land..and his tragic end.

1991 French Rev. 64 544 Charles-Jean..was the only Lutheran ever to get dubbed a Knight of Malta for his prowesses against the Barbary pirates.

b. As a mass noun. Valour, bravery, gallantry, martial daring; manly courage, fortitude. Now chiefly literary except as passing into sense 1c.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > courage > valour > [noun]

earlshipOE

prowessc1325

pruancec1330

valiantisec1330

wightshipc1330

valure?a1350

wightness1377

orpednessa1398

orpedshipc1400

valiantness1470

valiance1475

fierceness1490

priceheadc1540

valiancy1574

valor1586

valencea1604

valeur1646

valorousness1727

c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 279 Vor þe noble kinne þat þou art of & vor þi prowesse iwis.

?a1425 (c1280) St. Eustace (Julius D.ix) l. 163 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 397 (MED) More prouesse ne miȝte be þan was of þis kniȝte.

a1450–1500 ( Libel Eng. Policy (1926) 1040 (MED) What had this kynge of high magnificens..Atemperaunce, noblesse, and worthynesse, Science, proesce, devocion, equyte.

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) ix. 503 Schir yngerame vmphrevell, that ves Renownit of so hye prowes.

a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 154 (MED) Euery man of the Pepill sholde haue hope to come to glorie..by prosse and vasselage.

1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. dii^v I aught as prynce him to prise for his prouese.

1569 R. Grafton Chron. I. vii. 176 In this battaile Canutus proued the Loyaltie and manly prowesse of the Englishe men.

1586 W. Warner Albions Eng. i. v. 14 Philoctes, trustlesse of his Prowse.

1603 G. Owen Descr. Penbrokshire (1892) 209 A mightye, and valiant gentleman of no small power or prowes.

1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 7 Whom they matched every way in manhood and proësse.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 789 First seen in acts of prowess eminent And great exploits.

1759 W. Robertson Hist. Scotl. I. 10 A hero to whom the fond admiration of his country-men hath ascribed many fabulous acts of prowess.

1788 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall (1869) II. xli. 548 Their prowess was always conspicuous in single combats.

1809 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1837) IV. 538 So glorious a display of the valor and prowess of his troops.

1861 C. F. Bromley Woman's Wanderings 189 A celestial worthy..whose prowess and exploits..seem to have beaten Saint George and the dragon quite to smithereens.

1877 J. Ruskin Arrows of Chace (1880) II. 216 Military distinction is no more possible by prowess.

1972 R. Lane Fox Alexander the Great I. iii. 67 The personal prowess which had once made their kings such a famous subject of song.

1990 Stud. Eng. Lit.: Eng. Number (Tokyo) 8 Othello is presented..as a soldier of supreme prowess and experience, as a general of unrivalled calibre.

c. In extended use: exceptional ability or talent in a particular field or undertaking; skill, expertise.Sometimes (esp. in a man): sexual expertise, potency.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > unusual or excellent

periwinkle?c1335

virtuea1382

prowessa1668

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > expertise or proficiency

craftOE

perfectionc1475

accomplement?c1525

proficiency1597

handiness1601

profection1605

expertnessa1616

provection1652

prowessa1668

proficience1713

adeptness1731

hability1840

expertise1868

expertship1880

expertism1886

wizardry1951

a1668 W. Davenant Play-house to be Let i. 71 in Wks. (1673) You may draw up your Troop of Farcers,..they may chance to give us A short Trial of their prowess in Poetry.

1680 J. Dryden Kind Keeper iv. i. 42 If..a tender young Creature, as I am, may safely trust her self with a man of such Prowess, in Love affairs.

1749 J. Cleland Mem. Woman of Pleasure II. 124 I resolutely withstood any further endeavours, on a pretext that flatter's his prowess, of my being so violently hurt and sore, that I could not possibly endure a fresh trial.

1756 Spouter ii. 42 I,..famous and renowned thro' all His Majesty's Dominions; not only for my Prowess in Arts and Parts, but also for my Candour, Truth, [etc.].

1851 H. Mayhew London Labour II. 53/1 The terrier's education, as regards his prowess in a rat-pit.

1890 Proc. Royal Geogr. Soc. 12 91 A people who have proved themselves to possess a prowess much superior to the Chinamen amongst whom they dwell.

1928 E. O'Neill Strange Interlude i. 20 The boy, for all his good looks and prowess in sport and his courses, really came of common people.

c1956 M. Flanders Have some Madeira, M'dear? in M. Flanders & D. Swann Song Bk. (1974) 9 The e-vil Gin does would be hard to as-sess-(Be-sides, it's in-clined to af-fect m' prow-ess)!

1987 N. F. Dixon Our Own Worst Enemy (1988) xi. 171 We continue to assess mental prowess by such ridiculous contests as Mastermind.

2004 Times Lit. Suppl. 3 Dec. 27/1 Telling tall tales of his prowess as a big-game hunter,..when he was in fact a very poor shot.

†2. Moral goodness or excellence; virtue. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > virtue > [noun] > moral excellence

goodwilleOE

goodnesseOE

thewnessc1200

goodlaikc1225

goodheadc1275

honestete1340

bountyc1386

goodliheada1393

prowessc1395

honestyc1400

goodliness1405

virtuosityc1443

virtuousnessc1449

virtueheada1456

good naturec1475

integrity1548

honestness1556

graciousness1591

saintship1613

gracefulness1619

saintliness1838

te1895

virtu1906

c1395 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Tale 1129 Ful selde vp riseth by his braunches smale Prowesse of man; for god, of his prowesse [v.rr. prowousnesse, goodnesse], Wol that of hym we clayme oure gentillesse.

?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iv. pr. iii. 71 So as bounte and pruesse ben the mede to goode folk, also is schrewidnesse itself torment to schrewes.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	prowess
释义	prowessn. Brit. /ˈpraʊᵻs/, /ˈpraʊɛs/, /praʊˈɛs/, U.S. /ˈpraʊ(w)əs/ Forms: Middle English preues, Middle English proes, Middle English proesce, Middle English proues, Middle English prouesce, Middle English prouese, Middle English prouwesse, Middle English prouwis, Middle English proves, Middle English provesse, Middle English prowesche, Middle English prowez, Middle English prowis, Middle English pruesce, Middle English pruesse, Middle English–1500s prosse, Middle English–1500s prouesse, Middle English–1500s prowse, Middle English–1600s proesse, Middle English–1600s prowes, Middle English–1600s prowesse, 1500s pruice, 1500s– prowess, 1600s proësse; Scottish pre-1700 proues, pre-1700 prouese, pre-1700 proves, pre-1700 provese, pre-1700 provess, pre-1700 provesse, pre-1700 prowes, pre-1700 prowesse, pre-1700 prowest, pre-1700 prowis, pre-1700 prowys, 1700s– prowess. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymons: French pruesce, prowesse, proece. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman pruesce, pruesse, pruez, prowesce, prowesse, prouwesce, proueise, prueise, prueisse, Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French proece, proesce, proesse, proeise, Middle French prouesse (French prouesse ) valour, bravery, gallantry (c1100 in Anglo-Norman), act of bravery, valiant deed (c1100 in Anglo-Norman) < prou , etc. (see proud adj.) + -esse -ess suffix². Compare Old Occitan proeza (a1126), Catalan proesa (13th cent.), Spanish proeza (c1250), Portuguese proeza (13th cent.), Italian prodezza (a1243 as prodeça).In Middle English and early modern English pronunciations both as monosyllable and as disyllable were current; in addition to the evidence of the spellings, compare E. J. Dobson Eng. Pronunc. 1500–1700 (ed. 2, 1968) II. §309 (and also §176 on the quality of the vowel). However, although the word is not very common in rhyming position in verse (presumably because of the scarcity of suitable rhymes, unless only the second syllable is rhymed), such rhymes as do occur show a disyllabic pronunciation. Pronunciations with stress on the first syllable are usual in pronouncing dictionaries of the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. 1. a. As a count noun. An act of bravery; a valiant deed; a daring feat or exploit. Chiefly in plural. Now historical or literary. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > courage > valour > deed of valour > [noun] deedOE jeopardya1300 prowessc1300 gestsa1340 jesta1400 facta1525 c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) 556 (MED) Ihc wulle do pruesse [c1300 Laud pruesce] For þi luue in þe felde, Mid spere & mid schelde. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 59 Ine þise boȝe byeþ..vif manere of yelpinges; On is..þe zenne of þan þet zuo bleþeliche recordeþ hare dedes and hare prowesses [c1450 Bk. Vices & Virtues douȝtenesses]. a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) vi. 2193 (MED) Hard to remembre his conquestis euerichon, Alle the prowessis of this knihtli man. a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll.) 212 The knyghtes of Rounde Table..spoke of the grete prouesse that the messyngers ded that day thorow dedys of armys. a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 205 (MED) The iiije. cause why that this nobill erle sholde not haue vayne glory of this forsayde proesses is the lytill thanke that he had. a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) Prol. p. i^v The chyualrous feates and marcyall Prowesses of the vyctoryous Knyghtes of tymes paste. 1560 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique (new ed.) i. f. 7 By these men, worthy prowesses haue been dooen. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies v. ix. 352 To do those actes and prowesses which shall be spoken of. 1694 E. Phillips tr. J. Milton Lett. of State 270 That so signal a Prowess and Fortitude may never..be depriv'd the Fruit and due Applause of all your Pious Undertakings. 1721 J. Strype Eccl. Memorials II. xxxii. 269 The victorious Acts and Prowesses of sundry noble Princes. 1779 C. Dibdin Chelsea Pensioner i. 2 We may boast and chatter of our prowesses, but love is the only goal for which we start upon the course of honour. 1800 M. Keatinge tr. B. Díaz del Castillo True Hist. Conquest Mexico iii. x. 503 I request of you..you exalt to more effect your most virtuous and excellent voice, in order that our high prowesses may be known to the universe. 1891 Galveston (Texas) Daily News 5 July 14/1 These..records contain prowesses equal to those of the paladins of old. 1925 Folk-lore 36 308 The first deals with the fate of the hero, Iason, his birth, his prowesses in a far-off land..and his tragic end. 1991 French Rev. 64 544 Charles-Jean..was the only Lutheran ever to get dubbed a Knight of Malta for his prowesses against the Barbary pirates. b. As a mass noun. Valour, bravery, gallantry, martial daring; manly courage, fortitude. Now chiefly literary except as passing into sense 1c. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > courage > valour > [noun] earlshipOE prowessc1325 pruancec1330 valiantisec1330 wightshipc1330 valure?a1350 wightness1377 orpednessa1398 orpedshipc1400 valiantness1470 valiance1475 fierceness1490 priceheadc1540 valiancy1574 valor1586 valencea1604 valeur1646 valorousness1727 c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 279 Vor þe noble kinne þat þou art of & vor þi prowesse iwis. ?a1425 (c1280) St. Eustace (Julius D.ix) l. 163 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 397 (MED) More prouesse ne miȝte be þan was of þis kniȝte. a1450–1500 ( Libel Eng. Policy (1926) 1040 (MED) What had this kynge of high magnificens..Atemperaunce, noblesse, and worthynesse, Science, proesce, devocion, equyte. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) ix. 503 Schir yngerame vmphrevell, that ves Renownit of so hye prowes. a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 154 (MED) Euery man of the Pepill sholde haue hope to come to glorie..by prosse and vasselage. 1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. dii^v I aught as prynce him to prise for his prouese. 1569 R. Grafton Chron. I. vii. 176 In this battaile Canutus proued the Loyaltie and manly prowesse of the Englishe men. 1586 W. Warner Albions Eng. i. v. 14 Philoctes, trustlesse of his Prowse. 1603 G. Owen Descr. Penbrokshire (1892) 209 A mightye, and valiant gentleman of no small power or prowes. 1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 7 Whom they matched every way in manhood and proësse. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 789 First seen in acts of prowess eminent And great exploits. View more context for this quotation 1759 W. Robertson Hist. Scotl. I. 10 A hero to whom the fond admiration of his country-men hath ascribed many fabulous acts of prowess. 1788 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall (1869) II. xli. 548 Their prowess was always conspicuous in single combats. 1809 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1837) IV. 538 So glorious a display of the valor and prowess of his troops. 1861 C. F. Bromley Woman's Wanderings 189 A celestial worthy..whose prowess and exploits..seem to have beaten Saint George and the dragon quite to smithereens. 1877 J. Ruskin Arrows of Chace (1880) II. 216 Military distinction is no more possible by prowess. 1972 R. Lane Fox Alexander the Great I. iii. 67 The personal prowess which had once made their kings such a famous subject of song. 1990 Stud. Eng. Lit.: Eng. Number (Tokyo) 8 Othello is presented..as a soldier of supreme prowess and experience, as a general of unrivalled calibre. c. In extended use: exceptional ability or talent in a particular field or undertaking; skill, expertise.Sometimes (esp. in a man): sexual expertise, potency. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > unusual or excellent periwinkle?c1335 virtuea1382 prowessa1668 the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > expertise or proficiency craftOE perfectionc1475 accomplement?c1525 proficiency1597 handiness1601 profection1605 expertnessa1616 provection1652 prowessa1668 proficience1713 adeptness1731 hability1840 expertise1868 expertship1880 expertism1886 wizardry1951 a1668 W. Davenant Play-house to be Let i. 71 in Wks. (1673) You may draw up your Troop of Farcers,..they may chance to give us A short Trial of their prowess in Poetry. 1680 J. Dryden Kind Keeper iv. i. 42 If..a tender young Creature, as I am, may safely trust her self with a man of such Prowess, in Love affairs. 1749 J. Cleland Mem. Woman of Pleasure II. 124 I resolutely withstood any further endeavours, on a pretext that flatter's his prowess, of my being so violently hurt and sore, that I could not possibly endure a fresh trial. 1756 Spouter ii. 42 I,..famous and renowned thro' all His Majesty's Dominions; not only for my Prowess in Arts and Parts, but also for my Candour, Truth, [etc.]. 1851 H. Mayhew London Labour II. 53/1 The terrier's education, as regards his prowess in a rat-pit. 1890 Proc. Royal Geogr. Soc. 12 91 A people who have proved themselves to possess a prowess much superior to the Chinamen amongst whom they dwell. 1928 E. O'Neill Strange Interlude i. 20 The boy, for all his good looks and prowess in sport and his courses, really came of common people. c1956 M. Flanders Have some Madeira, M'dear? in M. Flanders & D. Swann Song Bk. (1974) 9 The e-vil Gin does would be hard to as-sess-(Be-sides, it's in-clined to af-fect m' prow-ess)! 1987 N. F. Dixon Our Own Worst Enemy (1988) xi. 171 We continue to assess mental prowess by such ridiculous contests as Mastermind. 2004 Times Lit. Suppl. 3 Dec. 27/1 Telling tall tales of his prowess as a big-game hunter,..when he was in fact a very poor shot. †2. Moral goodness or excellence; virtue. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > morality > virtue > [noun] > moral excellence goodwilleOE goodnesseOE thewnessc1200 goodlaikc1225 goodheadc1275 honestete1340 bountyc1386 goodliheada1393 prowessc1395 honestyc1400 goodliness1405 virtuosityc1443 virtuousnessc1449 virtueheada1456 good naturec1475 integrity1548 honestness1556 graciousness1591 saintship1613 gracefulness1619 saintliness1838 te1895 virtu1906 c1395 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Tale 1129 Ful selde vp riseth by his braunches smale Prowesse of man; for god, of his prowesse [v.rr. prowousnesse, goodnesse], Wol that of hym we clayme oure gentillesse. ?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iv. pr. iii. 71 So as bounte and pruesse ben the mede to goode folk, also is schrewidnesse itself torment to schrewes. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.c1300
随便看	griminess griminesses griming grimleȝc grimlier grimliest grimliness grimly grimm's law grimme grimmer grimmest grimmish grimness grimnesses grimoire grimoires grimp grimpen grimrising grimset grimsir grimston grimston hybrid grimston ware