feckless: [16] From an etymological point of view, feckless is simply another way of saying ineffective. It originated in Scotland, where from the 15th century the local population economized on the pronunciation of effect, reducing it to feck (this survived into modern times in the sense ‘efficacy’). From it was formed feckless, literally ‘having no effect’, and also feckful ‘efficient, vigorous’, which never made it further south than northern England. => effect
feckless (adj.)
1590s, from feck, "effect, value, vigor" (late 15c.), Scottish shortened form of effect (n.), + -less. Popularized by Carlyle, who left its opposite, feckful, in dialectal obscurity. Related: Fecklessly; fecklessness.
中文解释
1. feck (Scottish shortened form of effect) + -less.
实用例句
1. Her husband was a charming, but lazy and feckless man.
她的丈夫讨人喜欢,但却是个懒惰没有出息的人。
来自《权威词典》
2. He regarded the young man as feckless and irresponsible.
他认为这个年轻人不光无能,还不负责任。
来自辞典例句
3. German banks lent hand over fist to feckless foreign borrowers.
德国银行曾向财务状况不佳的外国借款人大量放贷.
来自互联网
4. The feckless Yukio Hatoyama, who stepped down on June 2 nd a grand total of 259 days.