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单词 white-livered
释义

Definition of white-livered in English:

white-livered

adjective wʌɪtˈlɪvəd
  • Cowardly, feeble-spirited, pusillanimous.

Origin

Mid 16th century; earliest use found in John Heywood (c1496–c1578), playwright and epigrammatist. From white + livered, perhaps ultimately after ancient Greek or Hellenistic Greek λευκηπατίας or λευχηπατίας cowardly, literally ‘white-livered’, reflecting the former popular belief that a light-coloured liver was considered deficient in bile or choler, and hence lacking in vigour, spirit, or courage.

Definition of white-livered in US English:

white-livered

adjectivewʌɪtˈlɪvəd
  • Cowardly, feeble-spirited, pusillanimous.

Origin

Mid 16th century; earliest use found in John Heywood (c1496–c1578), playwright and epigrammatist. From white + livered, perhaps ultimately after ancient Greek or Hellenistic Greek λευκηπατίας or λευχηπατίας cowardly, literally ‘white-livered’, reflecting the former popular belief that a light-coloured liver was considered deficient in bile or choler, and hence lacking in vigour, spirit, or courage.

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更新时间:2024/12/27 6:12:30