used in reference to various qualities and things associated with 19c. French emperors of that name, especially Napoleon I (Bonaparte) (1769-1821), such as a gold coin issued by his government and worth 20 francs. As a 12-pound artillery piece, in use in U.S. military from 1857 (in this case, from Napoleon III (1808-1873), under whose rule it was designed). As a type of boot, by 1860; as a card game, by 1876; as a type of rich cake, from 1892; as a type of good brandy, from 1930. The name also was applied by 1821 to anyone thought to have achieved domination in any field by ambition and ruthlessness. Napoleon complex in reference to aggressiveness by short people is attested by 1930. Related: Napoleonic.
权威例句
1. The Prosecutor looked toward Napoleon, waiting for him to thunder an objection.
检察官朝拿破仑望去,等他大声抗议。
2. He is under the delusion that he is Napoleon.
他患了妄想症,认为自己是拿破仑.
3. Beethoven at first dedicated his Heroes Symphony to Napoleon.
最初贝多芬把他的《英雄》交响曲献给了拿破仑.
4. Historical analogies, as between Napoleon and Hitler, ought not to be carried too far.
历史的类比, 如拿破仑与希特勒之间的类比, 不应做过头.
5. The professor wrote a lengthy book on Napoleon.