quaint

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Old French cointe and queinte (“‘pretty", "clever", "knowing’”) < Latin cognitus, past participle of cognoscere (“‘to know’”)

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /kweɪnt/

  Rhymes: -eɪnt

[edit] Adjective

quaint (comparative quainter, superlative quaintest)

1. Having old-fashioned charm.
   • It's a very quaint village with old-fashioned storefronts.
2. Strange or odd in an interesting, pleasing, or amusing way.
   • came forth a quaint and fearful sight - Sir Walter Scott
3. Highly incongruous, inappropriate, or illogical; naive, unreasonable -- usually used ironically.
   • of a quaint sense of honesty - Paul Engle
4. (obsolete) Characterized by cleverness or ingenuity; skillfully wrought or artfully contrived.
   • to show how quaint an orator you are - Shakespeare
5. (obsolete) Overly discriminating or needlessly meticulous; fastidious.
   • being too quaint and finical in his expression - Roger L'Estrange

[edit] Synonyms

• See also Wikisaurus:fastidious

[edit] Derived terms

• quaintly
• quaintness

[edit] Translations