Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ


Sep 21, 2007
This week's theme
Fabric words used metaphorically

This week's words
linsey-woolsey
buckram
grog
bombast
fustian

This week's comments
AWADmail 273

Next week's theme
Toponyms
Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

fustian

(FUS-chuhn) Pronunciation Sound Clip RealAudio

adjective: Bombastic: marked by pretentiousness or pomposity.

noun: 1. Pretentious speech or writing.
2. A coarse, sturdy cloth, blend of cotton and linen, usually having twill weave.

From Old French fustaigne, from Latin fustanum, from fustis (tree trunk, stick), or from El Fostat (a suburb of Cairo, Egypt, where it was first made).

"Despite its fustian moments and overuse of exclamation points, I find Modern Love greatly moving."
Michael Dirda; Scenes from a Marriage; The Washington Post; Oct 5, 2003.

See more usage examples of fustian in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

X-Bonus

The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart. -Iris Murdoch, writer (1919-1999) [Celebrate World Carfree Day Sep 22]

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith