Expand your vocabulary and impress others with a new word! Today, we're diving into a fascinating term, ‘Agelast’ that will add depth to your conversations. Let's explore the meaning, origin, and how to use it in everyday speech.
Meaning
Also Read
An agelast is not merely someone who avoids laughter occasionally but is someone whose personality or demeanour suggests an absence of the ability or inclination to laugh. It implies a deeper, consistent seriousness or solemnity, often to the point of seeming cold, detached, or even humourless.
Pronunciation
ag·e·last
Origin
The prefix "a-" (meaning "not" or "without") is common in many Greek-derived words, indicating negation (e.g., atheist = without belief in gods, amoral = without morality).
History
The word agelast is a literary noun that means someone who is humourless or never laughs. The word was first used in 1877 by novelist and poet George Meredith. It comes from the Greek word agélastos, which means "not laughing, grave, gloomy." Agélastos is made up of the words a- and gelastós, where a- means "def" and gelastós means "laughable."
Example from daily life
"The teacher seemed like an agelast at first, but once we got to know her, she had a great sense of humour."
Examples from literature
And in the Essay on Comedy he did at least remind us that in scholarship and in literature, or indeed in any of the circumstances of our mortal careers, the final word should not be with the agelast, the one who never laughs -- Richard Franko Goldman, American Scholar, Winter 1966–67
Add to these a gift of irony—that confounder of the literalists and Agelasts—perfect self-possession and an imperturbable sang-froid, impenetrability of expression and purpose and the equipment of the Dandy seems to be complete — Temple Bar (London, Eng.)
Synonyms
- Humorless
- Solemn
- Serious
- Grave
- Dour
- Stoic
- Mirthless
- Sour-faced
- Dry
- Unsmiling
That’s all for today’s word of the day. We hope you find this article useful to enrich your vocabulary. Stay connected with us for more such articles.
Published: 21 Dec 2024, 07:00 am IST
Related Topics
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.