有些形容詞作定語(yǔ)時(shí),似乎指甲,實(shí)為指乙,尤指所涉及的人所具有的某種品質(zhì)?性質(zhì)或狀況?這種形容詞叫做轉(zhuǎn)移形容詞 (transferred epithets),為英語(yǔ)修辭格的一種?例如 :

She passed a sleepless night. (She couldn’t sleep at night.不眠的不是 night,而是 she)

The farmer homeward plods his weary way. (= the weary farmer homeward plods his way.疲倦的不是 way,而是 the farmer)

It was a wise decision. (= the man was wise who made the decision.明智的不是 decision,而是做出決定的人)

He stood at a respectful distance. (敬而遠(yuǎn)之)

She had a chase nose. (圣潔的鼻子)

She smiled an obsequious smile. (獻(xiàn)媚的微笑)

She typed the letter word by painful word.她一個(gè)字一個(gè)字吃力地打著那封信?

The indefatigable bell was sounding in the distance.遠(yuǎn)處傳來(lái)了那不知疲倦的鐘聲?

They exchanged smiling words.他們微笑著交談?