Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Scurrilous.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Such as befits a buffoon or vulgar jester; grossly opprobrious or loudly jocose in language; scurrilous.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective archaic Scurrilous.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[French, from Old French, from Latin scurrīlis, jeering, from scurra, buffoon, possibly of Etruscan origin.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From French scurrile, from Latin scurrilis.

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Examples

  • Their wits indeed serve them to that sole purpose, to make sport, to break a scurrile jest, which is levissimus ingenii fructus, the froth of wit, as

    Anatomy of Melancholy 2007

  • “Peace with thy scurrile jests!” answered Edith, colouring deeply.

    The Talisman 2008

  • [5143] Another terms it the companion of all filthy delights and enticements, and 'tis not easily told what inconveniences come by it, what scurrile talk, obscene actions, and many times such monstrous gestures, such lascivious motions, such wanton tunes, meretricious kisses, homely embracings.

    Anatomy of Melancholy 2007

  • 'Tis not scurrile this, but chaste, honest, most part serious, and even of religion itself.

    Anatomy of Melancholy 2007

  • Any scurrile pamphlet is welcome to our mercenary stationers in

    Anatomy of Melancholy 2007

  • And, indeed, as [52] Scaliger observes, nothing more invites a reader than an argument unlooked for, unthought of, and sells better than a scurrile pamphlet, tum maxime cum novitas excitat [53] palatum.

    Anatomy of Melancholy 2007

  • In our ordinary talk and fallings out, the most opprobrious and scurrile name we can fasten upon a man, or first give, is to call him base rogue, beggarly rascal, and the like:

    Anatomy of Melancholy 2007

  • As the barking of a dog, I securely contemn those malicious and scurrile obloquies, flouts, calumnies of railers and detractors; I scorn the rest.

    Anatomy of Melancholy 2007

  • After Denver district Judge Jeff Bayless 'ruling granting an injunction against Colorado's Amendment 2 going into effect until a ruling on its constitutionality can be determined by the courts, you will not be surprised to find that scurrile material attacking Gays is once again a cottage industry in Colorado.

    Soapbox Issue #2 by Chad Skelton 1993

  • The writers paid by the party antagonistic to the Borgia growth in power therefore slung the more scurrile accusation.

    She Stands Accused 1935

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