innocuous
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Pronunciation [edit]
- (RP) IPA: /ɪˈnɒkjuəs/, X-SAMPA: /I"nQkju@s/
- (US) IPA: /ɪˈnɑkjuəs/, X-SAMPA: /I"nAkju@s/
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Audio (US) (file) - Hyphenation: in‧noc‧u‧ous
Etymology [edit]
From Latin innocuus (“harmless”).
Adjective [edit]
innocuous (comparative more innocuous, superlative most innocuous)
- Harmless; producing no ill effect.
- 1892, Robert Louis Stevenson, A Footnote to History, ch. 9:
- The shells fell for the most part innocuous; an eyewitness saw children at play beside the flaming houses; not a soul was injured.
- 1910, Bram Stoker, The Lair of the White Worm, ch. 11:
- Other things, too, there were, not less deadly though seemingly innocuous—dried fungi, traps intended for birds, beasts, fishes, reptiles, and insects.
- 2011 September 2, “Wales 2-1 Montenegro”, BBC:
- As the half closed Bale and Ledley both went close with good efforts, but Bellamy picked up a yellow card for an innocuous challenge that also rules the new Liverpool man out of the trip to Wembley.
- 1892, Robert Louis Stevenson, A Footnote to History, ch. 9:
- Inoffensive; unprovocative; not exceptional.
- 1893, Gilbert Parker, Mrs. Falchion, ch. 12:
- Ruth Devlin announced that the song must wait, though it appeared to be innocuous and child-like in its sentiments.
- 1910, P. G. Wodehouse, The Intrusion of Jimmy, ch. 28:
- He sat down, and lighted a cigarette, casting about the while for an innocuous topic of conversation.
- 1893, Gilbert Parker, Mrs. Falchion, ch. 12:
Synonyms [edit]
- (harmless, without ill effect): innoxious
Derived terms [edit]
Related terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
harmless
inoffensive
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