Hypertext Webster Gateway: "absurd"
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) 1.7 (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: {unreasonable}]
2: completely devoid of wisdom or good sense; "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 laughable"; "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}, {laughable}, {ludicrous}, {nonsensical},
{preposterous}, {ridiculous}]
Additional Hypertext Webster Gateway Lookup
Gateway by dict@stokkie.net
stock only wrote the gateway and does not have any control over the contents;
see the Webster Gateway FAQ,
and also the Back-end/database links and credits.