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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