Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Reproach; abuse.

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

  • noun Frumpish appearance or behaviour.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

frump +‎ -ery

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Examples

  • Instead, Carey is virtually unrecognizable as an office drone done up in '80s frumpery.

    Women of 'Precious' undertake transformational roles 2009

  • Kitty-corner across the graveyard I headed in pursuit of the flower from Jim Morrison's grave, needing no map, following instead the kids I saw: bedraggled or chic, sleek and ragtag alike, mostly from the New World, often stoned and quiet, and clashing strangely with the cemetery's ancient Old World mood, outrageously out of place amid its overcarved frumpery, and looking like cartoon ostriches clad in tutus and scrambling quacking through a rainy-day funeral.

    Shampoo Planet Coupland, Douglas 1992

  • I do when the last little frumpery of my old life had been turned into money to support my new one?

    The Fifth Wheel A Novel Olive Higgins Prouty 1928

  • When you see a girl struggling for what little education she can get, and know what sacrifices are being made for it, you just hate your frumpery old finery, and you want to convert everything you possess into cash to help her.

    The Lady of the Decoration Little, Frances, 1863-1941 1906

  • When you see a girl struggling for what little education she can get, and know what sacrifices are being made for it, you just hate your frumpery old finery, and you want to convert everything you possess into cash to help her.

    The Lady of the Decoration Frances Little 1902

  • Watching Malia and Sasha Obama grow up in the White House will be such a refreshing change after the frumpery of the Bushes, and it is heartening to think that America rediscovered itself on Election Day.

    The Moderate Voice 2008

Comments

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  • derogatory statement

    May 21, 2009