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absurd

Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

Absurd \Ab*surd"\ ([a^]b*s[^u]rd"), n.
   An absurdity. [Obs.] --Pope.

Source : WordNet®

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"; "that's a cockeyed
        idea"; "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: {cockeyed}, {derisory}, {idiotic},
         {laughable}, {ludicrous}, {nonsensical}, {preposterous},
        {ridiculous}]
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