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dunce |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Dunce \Dunce\, n. [From Joannes Duns Scotus, a schoolman called the Subtle Doctor, who died in 1308. Originally in the phrase ``a Duns man''. See Note below.] One backward in book learning; a child or other person dull or weak in intellect; a dullard; a dolt. I never knew this town without dunces of figure. --Swift. Note: The schoolmen were often called after their great leader Duns Scotus, Dunsmen or Duncemen In the revival of learning they were violently opposed to classical studies; hence the name of Dunce was applied with scorn and contempt to an opposer of learning, or to one slow at learning, a dullard. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: dunce n : these words are used to express a low opinion of someone's intelligence [syn: {dunderhead}, {numskull}, {blockhead}, {bonehead}, {lunkhead}, {hammerhead}, {knucklehead}, {loggerhead}, {muttonhead}, {shithead}, {fuckhead}]
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