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 Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:34 am
debonair • deb-uh-NAIR • adjective
*1 : suave, urbane
2 : lighthearted, nonchalant
Example Sentence:
David, a handsome and debonair bachelor, is a much sought-after guest for dinner parties.
Did you know?
In Anglo-French, someone who was genteel and well-brought-up was described as "deboneire" -- literally "of good family or nature" (from three words: "de bon aire"). When the word was borrowed into English in the 13th century, it basically meant "courteous," a narrow sense now pretty much obsolete. Today's "debonair" incorporates charm, polish, and worldliness, often combined with a carefree attitude (think James Bond). And yes, we tend to use this sense mostly, though not exclusively, of men. In the 19th century, we took the "carefree" part and made it a sense all its own. "The crowd that throngs the wharf as the steamer draws alongside is gay and debonair; it is a noisy, cheerful, gesticulating crowd," wrote Somerset Maugham in 1919 in his novel The Moon and Sixpence.
*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.
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Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:58 pm
how could we describe a woman of similar temperament?
hmmm...there aren't many useful adjectives, are there?
"blithe", maybe?
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 6:21 am
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 9:53 pm
hail to thee, debonair spirit!
bird thou never wert~
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