Jabberwock

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English

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Etymology

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Nonsense word coined by Lewis Carroll in his poem Jabberwocky (q.v.), from the children's book Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (1872). Carroll stated later, "The Anglo-Saxon word 'wocer' or 'wocor' signifies 'offspring' or 'fruit' [see oker]. Taking 'jabber' in its ordinary acceptation of 'excited and voluble discussion', this would give the meaning of 'the result of much excited and voluble discussion'..."[1]

Pronunciation

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  • Audio (US):(file)

Proper noun

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the Jabberwock

  1. A fantastical dreaded monster with flaming eyes.

Translations

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References

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  1. ^ Carroll, Lewis (Author), Tenniel, John (2003). Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, pp. 328–331. Penguin Classics. →ISBN