| 释义 |
▪ I. fresh, a.1, adv. and n.1|frɛʃ|
Forms: α. 1 fersc, 3 fersse, ferchs, south. uer(i)sse, 4 fersch(e. β. 3 Orm. fressh, 3–5 fress(e, 3–6 freche, fres(s)ch(e, 4 fraiche, frechs, 4–5 freys(s(he, freyssche, 4–6 fres(s)h(e, 4 freisch, 5 freisshe, 4– fresh.
[The αforms, which are not found later than the 14th c., represent OE. fersc (recorded only in senses 4 and 5, opposed to ‘salt’), corresponding to Du. versch, OHG. frisc (MHG. vrisch, mod.Ger. frisch; used in senses approximately identical with those found in Eng.), ON. fersk-r (Sw. färsk, Da. fersk; chiefly in physical senses; the mod.Icel. frísk, Sw., Da. frisk, are adopted from Ger.):—OTeut. *frisko-. As the βforms (with fre-) do not occur till the 13th c., it is most likely that they are due to adoption of OF. freis masc., fresche fem. (mod.F. frais, fraîche), = Pr. fresc, Sp., Pg., It. fresco, a Com. Rom. adoption of OTeut. *frisko-.
The senses first occurring in ME. coincide substantially with those in OF.; how far they were introduced from that language, and how far they descend from unrecorded OE. uses, cannot be determined.
The ultimate etymology of OTeut. *frisko- is obscure. Kluge compares OSl. prĕsĭnŭ fresh (:—*praiskino), Lith. prëskas unleavened, and Finn. rieska- unleavened.]
A. adj.
I. New, recent.
1. a. New, novel; not previously known, used, met with, introduced, etc. † Also absol. in advb. phr. of, on fresh = afresh.
a1340Hampole Psalter Cant. 516 New & freyss goddis come. c1489Caxton Blanchardyn xliii. 165 The battayl beganne of fresshe to be sore fyers. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 302 b, Than thy payne began of fresshe to be renewed. 1637Milton Lycidas 193 To-morrow to fresh woods and pastures new. 1639Fuller Holy Warre (1647) i. xvi. 25 This sight so inspirited the Christians, that coming in on fresh, they obtained a most glorious victorie. 1748F. Smith Voy. Disc. I. 9 The Fog..presenting continually fresh Objects. 1777Burke Corr. (1844) II. 162 That fresh concern and anxiety which attends those who [etc.]. 1798Malthus Popul. (1878) 3 Very severe labour is requisite to clear a fresh country. 1813Byron Ch. Har. iii. lv. 529 Its [river's] thousand turns disclose Some fresher beauty. 1861M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 31 There are few traces of fresh research or new matter produced. 1870Morris Earthly Par. I. i. 384 And with fresh hope came on the fresh May⁓day. 1888Times 12 Nov. 13/3 The untoward fate of plays that break fresh ground.
b. In weaker sense: Additional, another, other, different, further.
c1400Mandeville (1839) xxii. 243 Then thei maken fressche men redye. 1500–20Dunbar Poems xxxvii. 209 Than suld I haif a fresch feir to fang in mynn armes. 1532More Confut. Tyndale Wks. 675 In the conclusion of al that tale, he knitteth it vp with a freshe lusty poynt. 1613Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 644 In which way having gotten fresh helpe of some other streames. 1674N. Cox Gentl. Recreat. i. (1677) 16 The Hounds..take fresh scent, hunting another Chase. 1709Steele Tatler No. 14 ⁋7 The Troops of the Allies have fresh Orders dispatched to them. 1712Addison Spect. No. 452 ⁋2 Our Time lies heavy on our Hands till the Arrival of a fresh Mail. 1721Bailey, Fresh Spell..a fresh Gang to relieve the Rowers in the Long-Boat. 1802M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. xiii. 106 Several fresh spectators were yet to see the sight. 1818Cruise Digest (ed. 2) II. 198 Interest was seldom allowed to be turned into principal, except upon the advance of fresh money. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 153 One fresh concession..was easily obtained from the restored king. 1896Law Times C. 408/2 We must begin a fresh paragraph.
2. a. Recent; newly made, recently arrived, received, or taken in. Cf. Fr. frais.
1340Hampole Pr. Consc. 5307 Woundes..Þat fressche sal sem and alle bledand. c1400Lanfranc's Cirurg. 172 So þat þe wounde be freisch and not oold hurt. 1535Coverdale 1 Sam. xxi. 6 The Shewbredes..were taken vp before the Lorde, that there might be other freshbredes set therin. 1665Boyle Occas. Refl. Pref. (1845) 11, I was fain..to insert..some of a much fresher date. 1698Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 9 This Morn by fresh Advice he was assured [etc.]. 1704Swift T. Tub Apol., The Author was then young..and his reading fresh in his head. 1748F. Smith Voy. Disc. I. 146 Seeing whether the Marks of their Teeth are fresh or not. 1845Ford Handbk. Spain i. 16 The ministers of Ferdinand VII could not please him more than by laying before him a fresh express or dispatch. 1860Tyndall Glac. i. xxvii. 204 The floor..was covered with snow, and on it were the fresh footmarks of a little animal.
b. Newly come or taken from, out of.
1699W. Dampier Voy. II. i. 31 Great yellow Frogs also are admired, especially when they come fresh out of the Pond. 1700Dryden Fables, Cock & Fox 289 The hue and cry of Heaven pursues him at the heels, Fresh from the fact. 1764Goldsm. Trav. 330 By forms unfashioned, fresh from Nature's hand. 1816Keatinge Trav. (1817) I. 45 A..production..fresh from the press. a1839Praed Poems (1864) II. 209 An heiress quite fresh from Bengal. 1867Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) I. App. 673 The narrative..was fresh from the lips of an Englishman.
c. Law. fresh force (AF. fresche force, Anglo-Lat. frisca fortia), fresh disseisin: = ‘novel disseisin’; see quots. and disseisin 1 b. fresh fine, fresh pursuit, fresh suit: one made or levied immediately or within a short prescribed interval.
[1292Britton i. xix. §6 Deforceours et purprestours par fresche force.] 1419Liber Albus (Rolls) I. 173 Item, de assisis Novæ Disseisinæ, vocatis ‘Fresshforce’. 1538Fitzherb. Just. Peas 132 b, Upon any out crie, hute or freshesuit for any felonye. a1626Bacon Max. & Uses Com. Law (1636) 64 But if he [the owner] make fresh pursuit he may take his goods from the thiefe. 1641Termes de la Ley 169 An Assise or Bil of fresh force brought within 40 daies after the force committed, or title to him accrued. Ibid. 171 Fresh suit. 1670Blount Law Dict., Fresh Disseisin [see disseisin 1 b]. 1721Bailey, Fresh suit. 1848Wharton Law Lex., Fresh-fine, a fine which has been levied within a year.
3. Making one's first acquaintance with a position, society, etc.; raw, inexperienced; unsophisticated, ‘green’. Also (University slang), characteristic of a freshman.
1595Shakes. John iii. iv. 145 How green you are, and fresh in this old world. 1724De Foe Mem. Cavalier ii. 184 Between two Armies both made up of fresh Men, that have never seen any Service. 1724R. Falconer Voy. (1769) 11 Reserv'd by the old Sailors..must not be touch'd by the fresh Men, as they call 'em. 1815E. S. Barrett Heroine III. 9 If I don't tell the coach-maker what a fresh one he was, to give you his barouche on tick. 1826Disraeli Viv. Grey iv. v, Did you ever fight a duel? No!.. Well! you are fresh, indeed! 1834Oxf. Univ. Mag. I. 101 It is very fresh to walk about in academic costume with a stick in his hand. 1856Kane Arct. Expl. I. xix. 237 He was a perfectly fresh man, not having yet undertaken a journey.
II. Having the signs of newness.
4. a. Of perishable articles of food, etc.: New, in contradistinction to being artificially preserved; (of meat) not salted, pickled, or smoked; (of butter) without salt; (of fruits, etc.) not dried or preserved in sugar or the like.
α901–9Charter of Eadweard in Cod. Dipl. V. 164 Tu rieðeru oðer sealt oðer fersc.
β1388Wyclif Num. vi. 3 Thei schulen not ete freisch grapis and drie [uvas recentes siccasve]. c1400Lanfranc's Cirurg. 347 Adepis porci antiqui sine sale id est freisch swynys grese molten. c1460J. Russell Bk. Nurture 630 Fresche lamprey bake þus it must be dight. c1483Caxton Vocab. 5 Flesh of bueff saltede shall be good with the mustarde. The fressh with gharlyk. Ibid. 6 Fressh hering.. Reede heeryng. 1541Act 33 Hen. VIII, c. 2 No..person..shall..by anie freshe fyshe of anie estraunger in..Flaunders. 1620Venner Via Recta v. 91 There is made a kinde of Iuncket, called in most places a Fresh-Cheese. 1648Gage West Ind. xix. 143 They will buy..a Riall worth of fresh meat to eat on the Lords day. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 365 And seek fresh Forrage to sustain their Lives. 1811A. T. Thomson Lond. Disp. (1818) 606 If in the dry state, by pulverization, or, if fresh, by slicing. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 314 During several months, even the gentry tasted scarcely any fresh animal food. 1864Mrs. Carlyle Lett. III. 234 Three pounds of fresh butter at twenty pence a pound.
absol.c1330Arth. & Merl. 7290 Made hem at aise with fresche and selt.
¶b. (See quot.) Obs. rare—1. (Perh. some error.)
1530Palsgr. 313/1 Fresshe or lussyouse as meate that is nat well seasoned, or hath an unplesante swetnesse in it, fade.
5. a. Of water: Not salt or bitter; fit for drinking. † Also of a marsh: Containing fresh as opposed to salt water; watered by a river (obs.).[A Com. Teut. sense: prob. an extension of the notion ‘without salt’ as applied to meat (sense 4).] αc893K. ælfred Oros. ii. iv. §6 [Eufrates] is mæst eallra ferscra wætera. c1290S. Eng. Leg. I. 316/597 Þe sonne..makez þe wateres breþi up-riȝt..Boþe þe sees an ferchse wateres.
β1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xiii. xxii. (1495) 455 For cause of..fresshe waters that come therto the see..is more fresshe. c1440Jacob's Well (E.E.T.S.) 39 Of fysschyng of freschwatyr & of salt watyr, þe tythe owȝte to be payed. a1450St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 2224 A fresche well was þer besyde. 1553Eden Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.) 26 In this deserte are..founde bytter waters: but more often fresshe and sweete waters. 1576Act 18 Eliz. c. 10 §10 No Acre of fresh Marsh..[shall] be taxed above the Rate of a Penny..nor of every ten Acres of salt Marsh above the Rate of a Penny. 1582N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. vii. 19 Our men quietly landed and tooke in fresh water. 1601Shakes. Twel. N. iii. iv. 419 Tempests are kinde, and salt waues fresh in loue. 1670D. Denton Descr. N. York (1845) 19 These woods also every mile..or half-mile are furnished with fresh ponds, brooks, or rivers. a1691Boyle Hist. Air (1692) 154 He always found the ice fresh that floated upon the sea-water. 1697W. Dampier Voy. I. iii. 34 Sometimes we find them in salt Water, sometimes in fresh. 1708Lond. Gaz. No. 4489/3, 119 Acres of fresh Marsh-Lands. 1775Romans Hist. Florida 267 Another river..is very rich in fresh marsh. 1800tr. Lagrange's Chem. II. 235 Throwing into large quantities of pure fresh water a few drops of volatile oil. 1878Huxley Physiogr. 73 The great stream of fresh water which flows over Teddington Weir.
b. Of or pertaining to such water. † Of fish = freshwater a.
1297R. Glouc. (1724) 1 Engelond ys ful ynow..Of salt fysch and eche fresch, and fayre ryueres þer to. 1467in Eng. Gilds (1870) 396 Fresshe fysshe as Tenches. 1588Shakes. Tit. A. iii. i. 128 Till the fresh taste be taken from that cleerenes, And made a brine pit with our bitter teares. 1608–11Bp. Hall Medit. & Vows i. §8, I have oft wondred howe fishes can retaine their fresh taste, and yet live in salt waters. 1881J. Payn Hum. Stories 294 The professional fisherman..whether he be salt or fresh.
6. a. Untainted, pure; hence, possessed of active properties; invigorating, refreshing. Said esp. of air (also in attrib. phrases, as fresh-air fiend or maniac, etc.) and water.
c1340Cursor M. 11705 (Trin.) A welle out braste wiþ stremes clere fresshe & colde. 1390Gower Conf. III. 16 There sprang a welle fresh and clere. 14..Tundale's Vis. 1071 Sum of hom thei madyn nesche As is the water that is fresche. 1535Coverdale Ps. xxii. 1 He..ledeth me to a fresh water. 1604Shakes. Oth. iv. iii. 45 The fresh Streames ran by her, and murmur'd her moanes. 1611― Cymb. v. iii. 71 [Death] hides him in fresh Cups, soft Beds, Sweet words. 1648Gage West Ind. xvii. 117 A fruit named Xocotte..it is fresh and cooling. 1667Milton P.L. i. 771 They among fresh dews and flowers Flie to and fro. 1692Ray Dissol. World 82 The inferiour Air..in the Night so very fresh and cold. 1749Berkeley Word to Wise Wks. III. 440 It takes the peasant from his smoky cabin into the fresh air. 1828Scott F.M. Perth xxxii, The desire of fresh air..had carried her into the..garden. 1855Bain Senses & Int. ii. ii. §7 Fresh odours..that have an action akin to pure air. 1882N.Y. Tribune 2 July 7/1 The work of the Fresh Air Fund..sending children for a week or two from poor homes in unhealthy quarters of the city to healthful villages and farms. 1908Daily Chron. 6 July 4/4 The fresh-air cure has been..very much boomed of late years... One result of this has been the evolution of what I may term the fresh-air maniac. 1927W. E. Collinson Contemp. Eng. 39 Before the war we had our fresh air fiends..and the hatless brigade. 1950N. Cardus Second Innings 109 He went rambles all over the lakes—one of the first of the ‘fresh-air’ fiends.
†b. Cool; see cool a. 1 and 1 d. Cf. Fr. frais.
In Romanic langs. a very prominent sense; rare in Eng.
c1400Mandeville (1839) iv. 29 Thei..sytten there [in dyches]..for thei may ben the more fressche. 1412–20Lydg. Chron. Troy ii. xi, Fresche alures with lusty hye pynacles. 1580Frampton Dial. Yron & Steele 150 The Porche of the dore is verye freshe. 1697W. Dampier Voy. I. v. 108 Here is constantly a fresh Sea breeze all Day, and cooling refreshing winds in the Night.
7. a. Retaining its original qualities; not deteriorated or changed by lapse of time; not stale, musty, or vapid. † Formerly often reduplicated fresh and fresh (cf. ‘hot and hot’).
c1330R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 36 Þe blode was boþe warme & fresh, þat of þe schankes lete. c1400Lanfranc's Cirurg. 352 An oynement..al freisch leie it þerto, for þe more freisch þat it is þe bettir it is. 1535Stewart Cron. Scot. III. 351 Tua bostis of gude wyne, Baith stark and freche. 1535Coverdale Ps. xci[i]. 10 My horne..shal be anoynted with fresh oyle. 1577B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. iv. (1586) 158 b, See that their nestes bee very cleane, and kept still with freshe cleane strawe. 1632J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Eromena 128 Having restored me with fresh egges. 1699W. Dampier Voy. II. iii. 55 The other Fish we took as we had occasion fresh and fresh. 1805Dibdin in Naval Chron. XIII. 393 Burton ale—fresh or stale. 1823Lamb Elia, Distant Correspondents, As fresh as if it came in ice. 1850Lyell 2nd Visit U.S. xxx. 181 Roots of trees and wood in a fresher state than I ever saw them in any tertiary formation. 1859G. Wilson Gateways Knowl. (ed. 3) 71 The..Mammoth remains fresh as on the day of its death.
b. transf. of immaterial things.
14..Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1866) 233 Trewloue is fress & euere neu. 1712Addison Spect. No. 452 ⁋5 By this means my Readers will have their News fresh and fresh. 1758Johnson Idler No. 14 ⁋6 To be able to tell the freshest news. 1802Syd. Smith Wks. (1859) I. 6/1 It is only by the fresh feelings of the heart that mankind can be very powerfully affected. 1855Kingsley Westw. Ho! (1861) 350 The genial smile of English mirth fresh on every lip.
8. Not faded or worn; unfading, unobliterated. Said both of material and immaterial things.
c1384Chaucer H. Fame iii. 66 They [i.e. the names] were As fresshe as men had writen hem there the selve day right. 1576Fleming Panopl. Epist. 303 note, Wee might still have them, by continual view of their pictures, in freshe remembrance. 1610Shakes. Temp. ii. i. 68 Our garments are now as fresh as when we put them on. 1611Bible Job xxix. 20 My glory was fresh in mee. 1626Bacon Sylva §365 These Roses will retaine..their Colour fresh for a yeare at least. 1631Gouge God's Arrows iii. lxxvi. 326 By such memorials the memory of Gods mercies is kept fresh. 1641J. Jackson True Evang. T. i. 69 These antipathies..do still remaine..as fresh, as if Adam had but falne yesterday. 1711Lond. Gaz. No. 4867/4 The Small Pox fresh upon him. 1732Berkeley Alciphr. vi. §27 Men..who lived..when the memory of things was fresh. 1837Disraeli Venetia ii. i, An incident..as fresh in her memory as if it had occurred yesterday. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 447 Samuel Pepys, whose library and diary have kept his name fresh to our time.
9. a. Not sullied or tarnished; bright and pure in colour; blooming, gay.
c1385Chaucer L.G.W. Prol. 92 Upon the fresshe daysy to beholde. c1386― Knt.'s T. 260 The fresshe beautee sleeth me sodeynly Of hir that rometh in the yonder place. c1400Destr. Troy 997 Iason..hade fongit þe flese & þe fresshe gold. 1500–20Dunbar Thistle & Rose 55 To luke vpone his [the sun's] fresche and blisfull face. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 74 Flourysshe the forenoone neuer so fresshe, at the last commeth the euentyde. 1551T. Wilson Logike (1580) 3 Rhetorike..setteth forth those matters with freshe colours. 1667Milton P.L. ix. 1041 Flours were the Couch..Earths freshest, softest lap. 1749F. Smith Voy. Disc. II. 28 The Green of the Pine..now looked fresh and pleasant. 1797M. Baillie Morb. Anat. (1807) 37 He never had a fresh complexion, but it was always dark. 1801Southey Thalaba iii. xxxvii, Her cheek Lost its fresh and lively hue. 1860Tyndall Glac. i. xxv. 177 Scarcely less exquisite than the freshest bloom of the Alpine rose.
b. Of personal appearance: Blooming, looking healthy or youthful. Often fresh and fair; also in proverbial phrases fresh as paint, fresh as a rose, etc.
c1385Chaucer L.G.W. 1191 Dido, An huntyng wolde this lusti fresche queene. 1513Douglas æneis viii. x. 29 Venus, the fresche Goddes..can draw nere. 1585Abp. Sandys Serm. xv. 267 The freshest Gospeller in appearance, in experience is found not to be the soundest. 1596Shakes. Tam. Shr. iv. v. 29 Hast thou beheld a fresher Gentlewoman. 1635J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Banish'd Virg. 94 A widow fresh and faire. 1800–24Campbell Poems, Ritter Bann iv, 'Twas the Abbot of St. James's monks, A fresh and fair old man. 1815E. S. Barrett Heroine III. 81 Forth they walked..as fresh as an oyster. Ibid. III. 155 As fresh as a daisy. 1877Mrs. Oliphant Makers Flor. vi. 172 The fresh country ladies had to be warned against spoiling their natural roses with paint. 1881Dr. Gheist 217 Though nearly seventy years of age, he is still hale and ‘fresh as paint’. 1885Russell in Harper's Mag. Apr. 763/2 [They] see him emerge from his carriage, after a long journey, ‘fresh as a rose’.
†c. Gaily attired, finely dressed. Obs.
c1440Generydes 2037 Ther coursers trappid in the fressest wise. c1460Paston Lett. No. 437 II. 86 Perys of Legh come to Lynne opon Cristynmesse Even in the fresshest wise. 1483Caxton G. de la Tour C iij, To array and make me fresshe for them. 1530Palsgr. 623/2 My maystresse maketh her fresshe, I wene she go out to some feest to daye. a1533Ld. Berners Huon lxviii. 235 They rose & apparelled them in fresshe arraye. 1577–87Holinshed Chron. III. 807/2 With manie a fresh gentleman riding before them.
10. a. Not exhausted or fatigued; full of vigour and energy; brisk, vigorous, active. † Of a country: Of unexhausted fertility.
α1297R. Glouc. (1724) 397 An hondred knyȝtes, pur fersse & sound. c1350Will. Palerne 3633 A fersche ost hem to help hastili þer come.
βc1205Lay. 9418 To heo eoden alle afoten: & swiðe freche weoren. 13..K. Alis. 2405 He hadde y-hud..xx. thousand, That scholden come, on fresche steden. c1330R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 103 Þe kyng a seknes hent, þe dede him tok alle fresse. c1400Melayne 1528 Oure Britons bolde that fresche come in Thoghte that [etc.]. c1450Merlin 108 Kynge Aguysas..a freisshe yonge knyght, and with hym v C knyghtes. 1523Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cccxxxix. 532 They were nat strong ynough to abyde them that were fresshmen, for theymselfe were sore traueyled. 1538Starkey England i. i. 26 The mornyng, when our wyttys be most redy and fresch. 1632J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Eromena 21 He mounted first on the one fresh horse, and afterwards upon the other, posting on. 1648Gage West Ind. xiii. 74 This Country is very fresh and plentifull. 1843James Forest Days v, Take with you three of your fellows whose horses are the freshest. 1863M. E. Braddon J. Marchmont II. i. 3, I never felt fresher in my life. 1882Daily Tel. 3 Jan., Ignition is probably the freshest of all the veterans.
absol.1594Daniel Compl. Rosamond cii, Or whilst we spend the freshest of our time, The sweet youth in plotting in the ayre; Alas how oft we fall, hoping to clime.
†b. Recruited, refreshed, rested. Obs.
c1489Caxton Sonnes of Aymon vii 162 Whan thei shall be fresshe, thenne shall ye mow make werre. 1700Dryden Theod. & Honoria 187 Nor lies she long, but..Springs up to life, and fresh to second pain Is saved to-day, to-morrow to be slain.
c. Of a cow: yielding a renewed or greatly increased supply of milk; coming into milk. U.S.
1884Vermont Agric. Rep. VIII. 29 The cows will go dry for a time during the hot weather in summer and be fresh in fall. 1896Ibid. XV. 67 This [inoculating of cream] may be done by using a ‘starter’ made from cream of the skim-milk of a fresh cow. 1971Independent (Deerfield, Wis.) 23 Sept. 22/4 (Advt.), Fresh, springing, bred back cows and heifers.
†11.
a. Ready, eager. Const. to, also to with inf.
c1200Ormin 6348 Aȝȝ himm birrþ beon fressh þærto [i.e. to worship God]. c1340Cursor M. 18060 (Fairf.), Was nevir ern so fresh to flight. 1340Hampole Pr. Consc. 1254 Enmys thre..Þat, to assayle us here, er ay freshe. 1613Shakes. Hen. VIII, i. i. 3 Euer since a fresh Admirer of what I saw there.
†b. Ready to eat or drink; having an appetite or inclination. Also, fresh and fasting. Obs.
1613Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 840 Drinking a filthy liquor, whereto they said Tobacco made them fresh. 1698Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 92 They will fresh and fasting, besprinkle themselves with the Stale of a Cow.
12. Of the wind: Having considerable force, strong; † formerly, springing up again (obs.). Hence, of the ‘way’ of a ship: Speedy, steady. Also quasi-adv. in to blow fresh. Cf. Fr. frais.
a1533Ld. Berners Huon lxi. 213 They..lyft vp theyr saylles & so had a good freshe wynde. 1582N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. xxvi. 66 Uppon a sodayne there came a fresh gale of Winde. 1627Capt. Smith Seaman's Gram. x. 46 A fresh Gale is that doth..presently blow after a calme. 1659D. Pell Impr. Sea 322 It is a long time ere a ship can bee put upon the stayes when shee has her freshest way. 1686Lond. Gaz. No. 2181/4 The Wind blowing very fresh..forced into the Downs a Dutch Man of War. 1719De Foe Crusoe i. x, Not making much fresh Way as I did before. 1766Brice in Phil. Trans. LVI. 226 The velocity of the wind on May the 6th, when it blew a fresh gale. 1805Nelson in Nicolas Disp. (1846) VII. 77 If it comes on to blow fresh I shall make the signal for Boats to repair on board. 1878Jevons Prim. Pol. Econ. 29 The miller grinds corn when the breeze is fresh.
13. With regard to the use of drink, in two opposite senses:
a. Sober. Now only Sc.
b. Exhilarated by drink; partially intoxicated; ‘half seas over’.
a.c1425Seven Sag. (P.) 1226 He was freche, he was nought dronke. 1628W. Yonge Diary 113 The Lord Denbigh scarce fresh any day after the morning. 1822Scott Pirate xxiv, ‘Our great udaller is weel eneugh when he is fresh.’
b.1812Sporting Mag. XL. 174 On his return home, rather fresh. 1829Marryat F. Mildmay xiii, I could get ‘fresh’..when in good company. 1849C. Brontë Shirley iii. 31 For my notion was, they were all fresh.
14. Sc. and north. dial. Of the weather:
a. Open, not frosty.
b. Wet.
1782Sir J. Sinclair Observ. Sc. Dial. 49 Fresh weather. Open weather. 1790Grose Prov. Gloss. (ed. 2) s.v., How's t' weather to-day? Why fresh; i.e. it rains. 1795Statist. Acc. Scot., Stirlings. XV. 319 note, Our winters..have been open and fresh, as it is termed. 1827Sporting Mag. XX. 363 What is called in Durham ‘fresh weather’, alias rain. 1880Daily News 29 Dec. 2/1 There were indications of fresh weather..The fresh became less marked.
15. [Perhaps influenced by G. frech saucy, impudent.] Forward, impertinent, free in behaviour. orig. U.S.
1848Bartlett Dict. Amer. App., Fresh, forward; as ‘don't make yourself too fresh here’; that is to say, not quite so much at home. 1887F. Francis Saddle & Mocassin 136 What's the matter, then? Has Piggy been too ‘fresh’? 1902H. L. Wilson Spenders xxiii. 270 And when she goes out and says that isn't right they tell her she's too fresh. 1904‘A. Dale’ Wanted: a Cook 199, I smiled, and was about to speak, when she rose, and in a loud voice, cried: ‘Say, you're too fresh! Where d'ye think ye are?’ 1908G. H. Lorimer J. Spurlock ii. 26 That [remark] was pretty fresh, and my only excuse for doing it was that I couldn't think of anything fresher. 1923Wodehouse Adv. Sally xiii. 156 I'm going to show that guy up this afternoon... He's been getting too fresh. 1928S. Vines Humours Unreconciled iii. 41 A woman who does that sort of thing has no business to turn one down as soon as one gets a little bit fresh. 1932H. Nicolson Public Faces viii. 233 ‘Those Britishers,’ mumbled the President eventually, having taken a large gulp of iced water, ‘are getting fresh.’ 1953Manch. Guardian Weekly 20 Aug. 7/1 Anybody try any fancy stuff, or they got fresh,..and they let you have it.
16. Comb., as fresh-looking, † fresh-new adjs. Chiefly parasynthetic, as fresh-coloured, fresh-complexioned, fresh-faced, fresh-hearted, (fresh-heartedness), fresh-leaved, † fresh looked, † fresh-suited, fresh-tinctured adjs. Similarly fresh-button, fresh-skin vbs., fresh-dooring vbl. n.
1771Foote Maid of B. i. Wks. 1799 II. 213 To turn the lace, and *fresh-button the suit.
1608–11Bp. Hall Medit. & Vowes i. §24 *Fresh coloured wares, if they bee often opened, leese their brightnesse. 1848Dickens Dombey xxxi, With a fresh-coloured face.
1686Lond. Gaz. 2156/4 A Girl of about 11 years of Age..light brown hair, and *fresh Complectioned. 1892E. Reeves Homeward Bound 117 A..fresh-complexioned, quiet, fair man.
1824Miss Mitford Village Ser. ii. (1863) 250 By dint of whitening, sash-windowing and *fresh-dooring, the old ample farm⁓house has become a very genteel-looking residence.
1862H. Marryat Year in Sweden II. 354 *Fresh-faced girls sit knitting by their myrtles.
1837Hawthorne Twice-told T. (1851) II. viii. 123 But I cried the *fresh-hearted New Year.
1870Illustr. Lond. News 29 Oct. 438 The *fresh-heartedness, generosity, and heroism which seagoing has a manifest aptitude to nourish.
1657Cokaine Obstinate Lady i. i, That dost..in *fresh-leaved woods delight!
1714Lond. Gaz. No. 5249/4 One William Williams, a *fresh look'd Boy.
1848H. Rogers Ess. (1860) III. 314 The *fresh-looking masonry of yesterday.
1608Shakes. Per. iii. i. 41 This *fresh-new sea-farer.
1836E. Howard R. Reefer xxii, I had *fresh skinned myself.
1638Ford Fancies i. iii, Enter Livio, *fresh suited.
a1743Savage Lady Tyrconnel 43 *Fresh-tinctur'd like a summer-evening sky.
B. adv.
1. In a fresh manner, freshly (see senses of the adj.); newly; † clearly; † eagerly; † gaily; † strongly. † Also Law, immediately.
c1386Chaucer Knt.'s T. 190 Y-clothed was she fresh, for to devyse. c1420Anturs of Arth. iv, Fresche thay folo the fare. c1470Henry Wallace viii. 1423 With the small pype, for it most fresche will call. 1500–20Dunbar Poems lxxxvii. 26 New of thi knop, at morrow fresche atyrit. 1523Skelton Garl. Laurel 39 A pavylyon..garnysshed fresshe after my fantasy. 1593Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, iii. ii. 188 The Heyfer dead, and bleeding fresh. 1622Crt. & Times Jas. I (1849) II. 336 Speak fresh that way. a1626Bacon Max. & Uses Com. Law (1636) 64 If fresh after the goods were stolne, the true owner maketh pursuit. 1676Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 29 There is 4 pound of [comfits] and made fresh for you of the purest sugar. 1684T. Burnet Th. Earth i. 145 When the earth was fresh broken. 1709tr. Poncet's Voy. æthiopia 11 Thick Beer..being bad to keep, they are forc'd to make it Fresh, almost every Hour. 1737Whiston Josephus' Hist. i. xiv. §4 Anthony..remembering very fresh the wars he had gone through. 1747Wesley Prim. Physic (1762) 107 Plantane root fresh digged up. 1777Sheridan Sch. Scand. ii. ii, Mrs. Can. She has a charming fresh colour. Lady T. Yes, when it is fresh put on.
2. Comb. chiefly with pres. and pa. pples., as fresh-armed, fresh-baked, fresh-bleeding, fresh-blooming, fresh-blowing, fresh-blown, fresh-boiled, fresh-born, fresh-breaking, fresh-caught, fresh-coined, fresh-comer, fresh-cropt, fresh-drawn, fresh-fallen, fresh-forged, fresh-killed, fresh-made, fresh-quilted, fresh-rankling, fresh-rubbed, fresh-slaughtered, fresh-thrashed, fresh-thrown, fresh-turned, fresh-watered; fresh-find v. trans., to find (a deer) after the scent has been lost; hence fresh-found ppl. a.; fresh-run a., (a fish, esp. a salmon) that has lately run up from the sea.
1535Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 379 Ane new *fresche armit gard.
1849–52Todd Cycl. Anat. IV. 844/2 *Fresh-baked brown bread.
1718Pope Iliad xv. 698 His side, *fresh⁓bleeding with the dart.
1735Somerville Chase ii. 110 In each smiling Countenance appears *Fresh-blooming Health.
1671Milton Samson 10 The breath of Heav'n *fresh-blowing, pure and sweet.
1632― L'Allegro 22 *Fresh-blown roses washed in dew.
1833Marryat P. Simple (1863) 243 Looking as red and hot as a *fresh-boiled lobster.
1708J. Philips Cyder ii. 438 Can they refuse to usher in The *fresh-born Year with loud Acclaim.
1817Byron Manfred i. ii, And thou, *fresh breaking Day, and you, ye Mountains, Why are ye beautiful?
1852Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. xx, I thought I would make you a present of a *fresh-caught specimen.
1785Crabbe Newspaper 82 The *fresh-coin'd lie.
1890Spectator 4 Oct., *Fresh-comers from England and elsewhere.
1777Potter æschylus' Supplicants 90 Why..fly you to these Gods for refuge, Holding these *fresh⁓cropt branches crown'd with wreaths?
1872Lever Ld. Kilgobbin lv, A *fresh-drawn cork.
1885Fortn. Rev. 1 Feb. 170 No doubt the thawing of *fresh-fallen snow is not pleasant.
1856R. A. Vaughan Mystics (1860) I. 171 Without loss of time, *fresh-forged anathemas are come.
1780in C. P. Collyns Chase Wild Red Deer (1862) 193 He was *fresh found lying in a rush-bed. 1799Ibid. 209 Here they fresh found him. 1855in J. Fortescue Rec. Stag-hunting Exmoor (1887) 189 Still persevered in hopes of fresh finding him in Haddon. Ibid. 190 We had fresh found our deer. 1899Westm. Gaz. 18 Aug. 3/1 A clever huntsman..usually succeeds in fresh-finding his deer. 1922Joyce Ulysses 571 After him, freshfound, the hue and cry zigzag gallops.
1700S. L. tr. Fryke's Voy. E. Ind. 238 The Gutts of their Cattle *fresh killed.
1648Herrick Hesper., Corinna's going a Maying (1869) 69 Aurora throwes her faire *Fresh-quilted colours through the aire.
1763J. Brown Poetry & Mus. vi. 100 Inward Grief, *fresh-rankling in his Soul.
1896Daily News 2 Apr. 8/5 It had a *fresh-rubbed sore under the collar.
1863Kingsley Water Bab. 83 As clean as a *fresh-run salmon.
1718Pope Iliad xvi. 198 Some tall stag, *fresh-slaughter'd in the wood.
1883Goole Weekly Times 7 Sept. 2/6 Very little *fresh-thrashed wheat has been marketed during the past week.
1821Keats Isabella xlvi, She gazed into the *fresh-thrown mould.
1777Warton First of April 29 The *fresh-turn'd soil.
1535Coverdale Isa. lviii. 11 Thou shalt be like a *freshwatred garden. 1744Akenside Pleas. Imag. ii. 365 That..verdant lawn, Fresh-water'd from the mountains.
C. n.1
1. [The adj. used absol. passing into a n.] The fresh part or period (of a day, year, etc.).
1715J. Barker Exilius II. 22 They went to divert themselves in a cool Walk, during the fresh of the Morning. a1734North Lives I. 192 And for that work he took the fresh of the morning. 1883Holme Lee Loving & Serving I. xv. 288 In the fresh of the morning it is the greatest delight. 1889Lowell Lett. (1894) II. 381 The robins..keep on pretending it is the fresh of the year.
2. a. A rush of water or increase of the stream in a river; a freshet, flood. Also, a flood of fresh water flowing into the sea; esp. an ebb tide, whose force is increased by heavy rains. Freq. in pl.
1538Leland Itin. III. 136 Lichet Village and an Arme out of Pole Water beting with a litle fresch. c1682J. Collins Making Salt in Eng. 10 Sometimes there are great freshes in the River of Tyne. 1698Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 25 We met with the Freshes off the Shore caused by the Upland Rains. 1749F. Smith Voy. Disc. II. 31 And the Freshes or Landwaters, the Snow being mostly dissolved, very much abated. 1764Phil. Trans. LIV. 83 The officers observed the king's boat to float suddenly, which they attributed to a great fresh. 1787M. Cutler in Life, Jrnls. & Corr. (1888) II. 401 The high freshes..will bear a vessel of any burden..out to sea. 1848S. W. Williams Middle Kingdom I. i. 18 The banks are not so low as to be injured or overflown to any great extent by the freshes.
b. A sudden increase (of wind); a gust, squall.
1719De Foe Crusoe i. iii, If I should be taken with a fresh of wind. 1823Scoresby Whale Fishery 23 In the afternoon we had a fresh of wind.
3. A pool, spring or stream of fresh water.
1571Hanmer Chron. Irel. (1633) 63 A small fresh or brook that falleth into the Nure. 1610Shakes. Temp. iii. ii. 75 He shall drinke naught but brine, for I'le not shew him Where the quicke Freshes are. 1612Capt. Smith Map Virginia 13 It groweth like a flagge in low muddy freshes. 1791Cowper Iliad ii. 952 Brouzed On celery wild, from watery freshes gleaned [ἑλεόθρεπτόν τε σέλινον]. 1817Keats Lett. Wks. 1889 III. 53, I see Carisbrooke Castle from my window, and have found several delightful wood-alleys..and quiet freshes.
4. A freshwater stream running out into a tideway; the part of a tidal river next above the salt water; also, the land or lands adjoining this part. Freq. in pl. Now U.S.
1634Relat. Ld. Baltimore's Plantat. (1865) 12 It runs vp to the North about 20 miles before it comes to the fresh. 1658R. Franck North. Mem. (1694) 173 Here the Salmon relinquish the Salts because by the Porposses pursued up the Freshes. 1683W. Penn Wks. (1782) IV. 313 The Swedes [inhabit] the freshes of the river Delaware. ― Let. to North in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem. I. 412 We are one hundred and thirty miles from the main sea, and forty miles up the freshes. 1686Laws of Maryland (1765) ii, At Pile's Fresh, on both Sides of the said Fresh. 1689Banister Virginia in Phil. Trans. XVII. 668, I have sent you what Muscles our Freshes afford. 1693J. Clayton Acc. Virginia in Misc. Cur. (1708) III. 297 In the Freshes they more rarely are troubled with the Seasonings. 1705Beverley Hist. Virginia ii. ii. 6 By running up into the Freshes with the Ship..during the Five or Six Weeks, that the Worm is thus above Water. Ibid. iii. 11 Mawborn Hills in the Freshes of James River. 1708Oldmixon Brit. Empire Amer. I. 151 This part of the Delaware is call'd the Freshes. 1896P. A. Bruce Econ. Hist. Virginia I. 500 note, His plantation..was situated in the freshes of Rappahannock River.
▸ slang (orig. U.S., esp. in African-American usage). New and exciting; fashionable; good, excellent.
1972J. Densen-Gerber Drugs, Sex, Parents & You 77 She told us we were totally fresh. 1984Washington Post 25 Nov. g3/1 Fatness is not a hook for most rappers, but the Boys say it's what keeps them ‘fresh’. 1989T. Kidder Among Schoolchildren ii. ii. 40 Bro, that was fresh! 1993Vibe Sept. 78/1 The freshest tricks happen right here [sc. in San Francisco], by the time they get out to New England, it's, like, old and shit. 1999FEDS Mag. 1 iv. 10/1 It looked and smelled exactly like hash... Rich used to sell them pieces for like twenty, fifty dollars, he used to stay fresh like that, sheepskins..leather bombers.
▪ II. fresh, n.2 Obs.—1
[? var. of frush n.1]
An onset, rush.
c1400Destr. Troy 4730 The fresshe was so felle of the furse grekes..That [etc.].
▪ III. fresh, v.
[f. fresh a.; cf. F. fraîchir (OF. freschir intr. in the 12th c.).]
1. trans. To make fresh.
a. To refresh, recruit, strengthen; also, to increase. Also with up.
†b. To renew, repair (obs.).
†c. Naut. to fresh the hawse: see freshen v. 3 (obs.).
a.a1366Chaucer Rom. Rose 1513 He thoughte of thilke water shene To drinke and fresshe him wel withalle. 1380Lay Folks Catech. (Lamb. MS.) 119 Crist wolde þat our hope were freschyd in hym. a1420Pallad. on Husb. i. 291 As diuers men han done to fresshe her fame. 14..Sir Beues (1885) 134/77 (MSS. CM.) The watur him freschyd, þat was colde. 1523Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cxl. 167 They of Calays were often tymes..fresshed by stelth. c1586C'tess Pembroke Ps. cxlvii. iii, [He who] Fresheth the mountaines with such meedfull spring. 1635Quarles Embl. i. xi. (1718) 45 And fresh their tired souls with strength-restoring sleep. 1835J. P. Kennedy Horse-Shoe Robinson i. 66 Put a sprinkling of salt in a bucket o' water,..it sort of freshes the cretur up like. 1890B. L. Gildersleeve Ess. & Stud. 190 Now stay..And fresh your life anon. 1897Kipling Capt. Cour. 260 The fresh air will fresh Mrs. Cheyne up. 1910Westm. Gaz. 16 Apr. 16/2 The rains have freshed the trout streams.
b.c1420Pallad. on Husb. i. 727 They make Her water thryes fresshed euery day. 1513Churchw. Acc., St. Mary hill, London (Nichols 1797) 107 For freshynge the canopy at the high awter. 1606Sylvester Du Bartas ii. iv. i. Tropheis 325 With fresh assaults freshing their fury so. 1635Quarles Embl. iii. (1857) 268 Groans fresh'd with vows and vows made salt with tears.
c.1692Capt. Smith's Seaman's Gram. i. xvi. 78 Fresh the Hawse.
2. intr. † Of the wind: To become fresh, to begin to blow fresh. Also with up. Occas. of the sea: To become lively, roughen.
1599Hakluyt Voy. II. 107 The 16. the winde freshed, and we passed by Mount Carmel. 1659B. Harris Parival's Iron Age 282 The wind freshing westwardly, the English bore in..hard among them. a1691J. Flavel Sea-Deliver. (1754) 157 The wind freshed up, and began to blow a brisk gale. 1775E. Wild Jrnl. in Proc. Mass. Hist. Soc. Ser. ii. II. 267 The wind freshing we got clear after several tacks. 1892[see freshing ppl. a. below].
Hence ˈfreshing vbl. n., renewal, refreshment; (of a wound) recrudescence; ˈfreshing ppl. a.
a1533Ld. Berners Huon cxxxii. 488 Thou nedyste not fere of any fresshynge nor of more fourtherynge for me. 1591Spenser Daphn. 26, I walkt abroad to breath the freshing ayre. 1612T. Taylor Comm. Titus iii. 7 Abrahams bosome, wherein the Saints receiue freshing. 1613–16W. Browne Brit. Past. i. iv, Her skill in herbs might helpe remove The freshing of a wound which he had got. 1892Daily News 30 Nov. 3/1 He can paint the freshing sea when the tide runs in. |
