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absurd

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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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