Forcible-feeble

Forcible-feeble
Forcible-feeble For"ci*ble-fee`ble, a. [From Feeble, a character in the Second Part of Shakespeare's ``King Henry IV.,'' to whom Falstaff derisively applies the epithet ``forcible.''] Seemingly vigorous, but really weak or insipid. [1913 Webster]

He [Prof. Ayton] would purge his book of much offensive matter, if he struck out epithets which are in the bad taste of the forcible-feeble school. --N. Brit. Review. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • forcible feeble — noun (Shakespeare) A weak man with a pretence of valour • • • Main Entry: ↑force …   Useful english dictionary

  • forcible-feeble — | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ adjective Etymology: from Forcible Feeble, nickname of Francis Feeble, character in Shakespeare s 2 Henry IV who was a woman s tailor turned soldier : seemingly vigorous but really weak or insipid …   Useful english dictionary

  • philippic — noun /fɪˈlɪpɪk/ a) any of the discourses of against , defending the liberty of Athens , 1922: Skin the Goat, assuming he was he, evidently with an axe to grind, was airing his grievances in a forcible feeble philippic anent the natural resources… …   Wiktionary

  • India — /in dee euh/, n. 1. Hindi, Bharat. a republic in S Asia: a union comprising 25 states and 7 union territories; formerly a British colony; gained independence Aug. 15, 1947; became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations Jan. 26, 1950.… …   Universalium

  • History of the Jews in Spain — Part of a series of articles on Jews and Judaism …   Wikipedia

  • Europe, history of — Introduction       history of European peoples and cultures from prehistoric times to the present. Europe is a more ambiguous term than most geographic expressions. Its etymology is doubtful, as is the physical extent of the area it designates.… …   Universalium

  • History of psychiatric institutions — Social alienation was one of the main themes in Francisco Goya s masterpieces, such as The Madhouse (above). The story of the rise of the lunatic asylum and its gradual transformation into, and eventual replacement by, the modern psychiatric… …   Wikipedia

  • powerful — I (Roget s IV) modif. 1. [Wielding power] Syn. mighty, all powerful, almighty, superhuman, omnipotent, overpowering, great, invincible, dominant, indomitable, influential, authoritative, overruling, potent, puissant, forceful, forcible,… …   English dictionary for students

  • international relations — a branch of political science dealing with the relations between nations. [1970 75] * * * Study of the relations of states with each other and with international organizations and certain subnational entities (e.g., bureaucracies and political… …   Universalium

  • strong — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) adj. powerful (see strength); strong smelling, pungent, piquant, etc. (see odor); intense, concentrated, brilliant, bright, vivid, dazzling, etc.; alcoholic, spirituous, hard, bodied, heady, proof (see… …   English dictionary for students

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”