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A.Word.A.Day--fulsome

fulsome (ful-sum) adjective

1. Offensively flattering or insincere.

2. Offensive to the taste or sensibilities.

3. (Usage Problem) Copious or abundant.

[Middle English fulsom, abundant, well-fed, arousing disgust : ful, full + -som, adjective suff.]

"One tires of the fulsome endorsement, the blizzard of exclamation points, the arch locutions ...." Daniel Aaron, Belle du Jour, The New Republic, 2 Feb 1998.

"`We've had some problems with recent Iranian and Somali receiving less than a fulsome welcome. This is an opportunity to say we are a multicultural society and that we welcome all cultures in our country,' said Mr Terris." Hank Schouten, Terris favours Settlers Day, The Evening Post, 2 Feb 1998.

This week's theme: words often used in a sense different from their established definitions.

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