English Explanatory Dictionary

antic

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Playful, funny, absurd.
  2. Grotesque, incongruous.
  3. Grotesque, bizarre
  4. Archaic form of antique.
noun
  1. A grotesque representation of a figure; a gargoyle.
  2. A caricature.
  3. A ludicrous gesture or act; ridiculous behaviour; caper.
  4. A grotesque performer or clown, buffoon.
  5. Archaic form of antique.
verb
  1. To perform antics, to caper.
  2. To make a fool of, to cause to look ridiculous.
  3. To perform (an action) as an antic; to mimic ridiculously.
noun
  1. A pose, often exaggerated, in anticipation of an action; for example, a brief squat before jumping

Pronunciation

ăn'tĭk /ˈæn.tɪk/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-antic.wav

Word forms

antic more antic most antic antick anticke antics anticking anticked

Etymology

Probably from Italian antico (“ancient”), used to describe ancient wall paintings from classical times, from Latin antiquus (“venerable”). See also Italian grottesco (“grotesque”). Doublet of antique.

Related words

ancient Antiqua antiquarian antiquary antiquated antique antiquity

Derived words

antically anticize anticker anticky anticly anticness

Translations

Bulgarian: странен Czech: groteskní Czech: směšný Dutch: grotesk Dutch: bizar Dutch: absurd Finnish: irvokas Finnish: vääristynyt Finnish: ruma Finnish: naurettava Galician: brutesco Galician: atrangallado German: grotesk German: bizarr German: absurd German: albern German: seltsam Portuguese: grotesco Spanish: grotesco Swedish: grotesk
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
Back to search All on A Russian dictionary Dahl dictionary