ob·tuse′ly adv. ob·tuse′ness n. Usage Note: Obtuse is sometimes used where one might expect abstruse instead, but the Usage Panel is divided on the acceptability of these usages. In our 2009 survey, 55 percent of the Usage Panel rejected obtuse meaning "recondite," as in The reader...
slang : a cocky or arrogant attitude Word History Etymology short for attitude First Known Use 1976, in the meaning defined above Time Traveler The first known use of 'tude was in 1976 See more words from the same year Dictionary Entries Near 'tude 'tis 'tude 'twas See More ...
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In our 2009 survey, 55 percent of the Usage Panel rejected obtuse meaning "recondite," as in The reader has to struggle through dense prose and obtuse references to modern philosophers. Some 52 percent rejected the word when used to mean "indirect or oblique" in the sentence Divorce is ...
In our 2009 survey, 55 percent of the Usage Panel rejected obtuse meaning "recondite," as in The reader has to struggle through dense prose and obtuse references to modern philosophers. Some 52 percent rejected the word when used to mean "indirect or oblique" in the sentence Divorce is ...
slang : leader especially : an unlawful wholesale dealer in narcotics Word History First Known Use 1789, in the meaning defined above Time Traveler The first known use of big man was in 1789 See more words from the same year