absurd

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Synonyms 1.3.3 Derived terms 1.3.4 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Derived terms 1.4.2 Translations 1.5 References 2 German 2.1 Adjective 3 Polish 3.1 Noun 3.1.1 Declension 3.1.2 Derived terms 4 Swedish 4.1 Adjective

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Latin absurdus (“‘discordant, unreasonable’”), from ab + surdus (“‘deaf’”). Probably derived from the root svar (“‘to sound’”); not connected with surd: compare French absurde.

[edit] Pronunciation

• (Canada, UK) IPA: /æbˈzɝd/
• (US) IPA: /əbˈsɝd/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)d
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Adjective

absurd (comparative absurder or more absurd, superlative absurdest or most absurd)

1. Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and flatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous.

   • This proffer is absurd and reasonless. - Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part I, V-iv
   • This phrase absurd to call a villain great. - Alexander Pope

[edit] Usage notes

• Said of people, opinions, dreams, etc.

Among the synonyms:

• 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.

[edit] Synonyms

• foolish, irrational, ridiculous, preposterous, inconsistent, incongruous, ludicrous
• See also Wikisaurus:absurd

[edit] Derived terms

• absurdly, absurdity

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

absurd (plural absurds)

1. (obsolete) An absurdity. — Alexander Pope
2. (with the) That which is absurd.

[edit] Derived terms

• theatre of the absurd

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

• absurd in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• absurd in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

---

[edit] German

[edit] Adjective

absurd (comparative absurder, superlative am absurdesten)

1. absurd

---

[edit] Polish

[edit] Noun

absurd m.

1. nonsense

   Jego propozycje to jeden wielki absurd.

   His suggestions are one big nonsense.

[edit] Declension

	Singular	Plural
Nominative	absurd	absurdy
Genitive	absurdu	absurdów
Dative	absurdowi	absurdom
Accusative	absurd	absurdy
Instrumental	absurdem	absurdami
Locative	absurdzie	absurdach
Vocative	absurdzie	absurdy

[edit] Derived terms

• absurdalny — adjective absurd

---

[edit] Swedish

[edit] Adjective

absurd

Inflections of absurd Comparation by mer and mest
Indefinite singular	Common	absurd
	Neuter	absurt
Definite singular	Masc.	absurde
	All	absurda
Plural		absurda

1. absurd