|
precariousness n. 不确定 不确定 precariousness n 1: extreme dangerousness 2: being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance; " the uncertainty of the outcome"; " the precariousness of his income" [ synonym: { uncertainty}, { uncertainness}, { precariousness}] [ ant: { certainty}, { foregone conclusion}, { sure thing}] Precarious \ Pre* ca" ri* ous\, a. [ L. precarius obtained by begging or prayer, depending on request or on the will of another, fr. precari to pray, beg. See { Pray}.] 1. Depending on the will or pleasure of another; held by courtesy; liable to be changed or lost at the pleasure of another; as, precarious privileges. -- Addison. [ 1913 Webster] 2. Held by a doubtful tenure; depending on unknown causes or events; exposed to constant risk; not to be depended on for certainty or stability; uncertain; as, a precarious state of health; precarious fortunes. " Intervals of partial and precarious liberty." -- Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster] Syn: Uncertain; unsettled; unsteady; doubtful; dubious; equivocal. Usage: { Precarious}, { Uncertain}. Precarious in stronger than uncertain. Derived originally from the Latin precari, it first signified " granted to entreaty," and, hence, " wholly dependent on the will of another." Thus it came to express the highest species of uncertainty, and is applied to such things as depend wholly on future casualties. [ 1913 Webster] -- { Pre* ca" ri* ous* ly}, adv. -- { Pre* ca" ri* ous* ness}, n. [ 1913 Webster]
|
安装中文字典英文字典查询工具!
中文字典英文字典工具:
英文字典中文字典相关资料:
|