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A.Word.A.Day--raisonneur

raisonneur (rez-uh-NUR) noun

A character in a play, novel, or the like who voices the central theme, philosophy, or point of view of the work.

[From French: literally, one who reasons or argues, equivalent to raisonn(er) to reason, argue + -eur.]

"The Fool in King Lear is the apotheosis of the ironic commentator, the raisonneur who sees through the world's follies and the blunders of its leaders." A Clown is not a Fool, The New Straits Times, Jul 8, 1998.

This week's theme: words from the world of literature.

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