| Library / English Dictionary |
ABSURDITY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A ludicrous folly
Example:
the crowd laughed at the absurdity of the clown's behavior
Synonyms:
absurdity; fatuity; fatuousness; silliness
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("absurdity" is a kind of...):
folly; foolishness; unwiseness (the trait of acting stupidly or rashly)
Derivation:
absurd (so unreasonable as to invite derision)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A message whose content is at variance with reason
Synonyms:
absurdity; absurdness; ridiculousness
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("absurdity" is a kind of...):
bunk; hokum; meaninglessness; nonsense; nonsensicality (a message that seems to convey no meaning)
Derivation:
absurd (inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense)
Context examples:
It is the greatest absurdity—Actually snowing at this moment!
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
To be a second time disappointed in the same way was an instance of very severe ill-luck; and his indignation was such, that had it not been for delicacy towards his friend, and his friend's youngest sister, he believed he should certainly attack the baronet on the absurdity of his proceedings, and argue him into a little more rationality.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Meg's wedding has turned all our heads, and we talk of nothing but lovers and such absurdities.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
If, on reflection, I find I have fallen into no great absurdity, I shall try to forgive you; but it was not right.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
I think I committed every possible absurdity in the way of preparation for this blessed event.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
The learned among them confess the absurdity of this doctrine; but the practice still continues, in compliance to the vulgar.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
Nothing could now be clearer than the absurdity of her recent fancies.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
But at least, Mama, you cannot deny the absurdity of the accusation, though you may not think it intentionally ill-natured.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
And at others, what a heap of absurdities it is!
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Such squeamish youths as cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity are not worth a regret.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
