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more about absurd
absurd |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Absurd \Ab*surd"\, a. [L. absurdus harsh-sounding; ab + (prob) a derivative fr a root svar to sound; not connected with surd: cf F. absurde See {Syringe}.] Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and fiatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous; as an absurd person, an absurd opinion; an absurd dream. This proffer is absurd and reasonless. --Shak. 'This phrase absurd to call a villain great. --Pope. --p. 9 Syn: Foolish; irrational; ridiculous; preposterous; inconsistent; incongruous. Usage: {Absurd}, {Irrational}, {Foolish}, {Preposterous}. Of these terms, irrational is the weakest, denoting that which is plainly inconsistent with the dictates of sound reason; as an irrational course of life. Foolish rises higher, and implies either a perversion of that faculty, or an absolute weakness or fatuity of mind; as foolish enterprises. Absurd rises still higher, denoting that which is plainly opposed to received notions of propriety and truth; as an absurd man, project, opinion, story, argument, etc Preposterous rises still higher, and supposes an absolute inversion in the order of things or in plain terms, a ``putting of the cart before the horse;'' as a preposterous suggestion, preposterous conduct, a preposterous regulation or law. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Absurd \Ab*surd"\ ([a^]b*s[^u]rd"), n. An absurdity. [Obs.] --Pope. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: absurd adj 1: inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense "the absurd predicament of seeming to argue that virtue is highly desirable but intensely unpleasant"- Walter Lippman [syn: {incongruous}, {unreasonable}] 2: so devoid of wisdom or good sense as to be laughable; "the absurd excuse that the dog ate his homework"; "ask a nonsensical question and get a nonsensical answer"; "a contribution so small as to be derisory"; "it is ludicrous to call a cottage a mansion"; "a preposterous attempt to turn back the pages of history"; "her conceited assumption of universal interest in her rather dull children was ridiculous" [syn: {derisory}, {ludicrous}, {nonsensical}, {preposterous}, {ridiculous}]
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