08-11-2005, 10:07 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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Kick Ass Kunoichi
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Originally Posted by Suave
I'm irritated that they feel the need to include any slang and regional dialect they see into the dictionary.
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This isn't just ANY dictionary, though, it's the OED. This is a dictionary that takes up several volumes. It is meant to be the definitive source on the English language, providing not only the meaning of a word, but a comprehensive history. A sample entry, for your perusal:
Quote:
suave, a. (adv.)
1. Pleasing or agreeable to the senses or the mind; sweet.
c1560 A. SCOTT Poems (S.T.S.) vii. 29 Adew {th}e fragrant balme suaif, And lamp of ladeis lustiest! 1598 QUEEN ELIZABETH Plutarch ix. 3 The suafes thing that Silence dothe Expres. 1694 MOTTEUX Rabelais v. Epist. 251 These Times..alterate the suavest Pulchritude. 1849 C. BRONTË Shirley xxvi, To whom the husky oat-cake was from custom suave as manna. 1859 MISS MULOCK Life for a Life xvii, To break the suave harmony of things. 1878 H. S. WILSON Alpine Ascents iii. 99 The suaver white hoods of snow summits.
2. Gracious, kindly. Also advb. Sc. Obs.
1501 DOUGLAS Pal. Hon. III. ii, Thir musis gudelie and suaue. c1550 ROLLAND Crt. Venus II. 76 The nine Musis sweit and swaue. c1560 A. SCOTT Poems (S.T.S.) i. 214 Resaif swaif, and haif ingraif it heir. Ibid. xxxvi. 73 Sweit Lord, to Syon be suave.
3. Of persons, their manner: Blandly polite or urbane; soothingly agreeable. (Cf. SUAVITY 4.)
1831 F. REYNOLDS Playwright's Adventures iv. 63 St Alm was anything but suave. 1847 C. BRONTË J. Eyre xiv, He..showed a solid enough mass of intellectual organs, but an abrupt deficiency where the suave sign of benevolence should have risen. 1853 {emem} Villette xxi, The rare passion of the constitutionally suave, and serene, is not a pleasant spectacle. 1853 LYTTON My Novel III. xxvi, A slight disturbance of his ordinary suave and well-bred equanimity. 1863 GEO. ELIOT Romola xxxi, Doubtless the suave secretary had his own ends to serve. 1898 J. A. OWEN Hawaii iii. 55 Oahumi was quite captivated by the plausible, suave manners of the ingratiating southern chief.
Comb. 1894 ‘MAX O'RELL’ J. Bull & Co. 30 These suave-looking people, far away in the Pacific Ocean.
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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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