- scurrilous
- does not mean merely angry or insulting. It means grossly obscene or abusive. An attack must be exceedingly harsh to be scurrilous.
Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors. 2013.
scurrilous
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Scurrilous — Scur ril*ous, a. [See Scurrile.] 1. Using the low and indecent language of the meaner sort of people, or such as only the license of buffoons can warrant; as, a scurrilous fellow. [1913 Webster] 2. Containing low indecency or abuse; mean; foul;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
scurrilous — I adjective abusive, coarse, contumeliosus, disgusting, disrespectful, foul, gross, indecent, indelicate, insulting, lascivious, lewd, libidinous, licentious, low, mean, obscene, offensive, opprobrious, probrosus, ribald, risque, salacious,… … Law dictionary
scurrilous — using such language as only the licence of a buffoon can warrant [Johnson], 1570s, from scurrile coarsely joking (c.1500, implied in scurrility), from L. scurrilis buffoonlike, from scurra fashionable city idler, later buffoon. According to Klein … Etymology dictionary
scurrilous — *abusive, opprobrious, vituperative, contumelious Analogous words: ribald, obscene, gross, *coarse, vulgar: insulting, outraging, offending or offensive (see corresponding verbs at OFFEND): foul, filthy, *dirty … New Dictionary of Synonyms
scurrilous — [adj] foul mouthed, vulgar abusive, coarse, contumelious, defamatory, dirty, filthy, foul, gross, indecent, infamous, insulting, invective, lewd, low, nasty, obscene, offending, offensive, opprobrious, outrageous, raunchy, ribald, salacious,… … New thesaurus
scurrilous — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ making scandalous claims about someone in order to damage their reputation. DERIVATIVES scurrility noun (pl. scurrilities) . ORIGIN Latin scurrilus, from scurra buffoon … English terms dictionary
scurrilous — [skʉr′ə ləs] adj. [ SCURRIL(E) + OUS] 1. using indecent or abusive language; coarse; vulgar; foulmouthed 2. containing coarse vulgarisms or indecent abuse scurrilously adv. scurrilousness n … English World dictionary
scurrilous — [[t]skʌ̱rɪləs, AM skɜ͟ːr [/t]] ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n Scurrilous accusations or stories are untrue and unfair, and are likely to damage the reputation of the person that they relate to. Scurrilous and untrue stories were being invented.… … English dictionary
scurrilous — adjective Date: 1576 1. a. using or given to coarse language b. vulgar and evil < scurrilous imposters who used a religious exterior to rob poor people Edwin Benson > 2. containing obscenities, abuse, or slander < scurrilous accusations > •… … New Collegiate Dictionary
scurrilous — scurrilously, adv. scurrilousness, n. /skerr euh leuhs, skur /, adj. 1. grossly or obscenely abusive: a scurrilous attack on the mayor. 2. characterized by or using low buffoonery; coarsely jocular or derisive: a scurrilous jest. [1570 80;… … Universalium
scurrilous — scur|ri|lous [ˈskʌrıləs US ˈskə:r ] adj formal [Date: 1500 1600; : Latin; Origin: scurrilis, from scurra stupid person ] scurrilous remarks, articles etc contain damaging and untrue statements about someone ▪ a scurrilous attack on his integrity… … Dictionary of contemporary English
