late 14c., "pertaining to a province," from Old French provincial "belonging to a particular province (of friars)" (13c.), from Latin provincialis "of a province," from provincia (see province).
Meaning "of the small towns and countryside" (as opposed to the capital and urban center) is from 1630s, a borrowed idiom from French, transferred from sense of "particular to the province," hence "local." Suggestive of rude, petty, or narrow society by 1755. Classical Latin provincialis seems not to have had this tinge. In British use, with reference to the American colonies, from 1680s.
provincial (n.)
late 14c., "ecclesiastical head of a province," from provincial (adj.). From c. 1600 as "native or inhabitant of a province;" from 1711 as "country person."
实用例句
1. Times become more flexible off-season, especially in the smaller provincial museums.
尤其是在规模较小的地方博物馆，开放时间在旅游淡季更加灵活。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Her story is sharply evocative of Italian provincial life.
她的故事让人清晰地回忆起意大利的乡村生活。
来自柯林斯例句
3. A provincial magistrates' court last week ruled it unconstitutional.
一家省级地方法院上周裁定其违宪。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Six new members have been inducted into the Provincial Cabinet.
6名新成员已经正式加入省内阁班子。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Guerillas captured and briefly held an important provincial capital.