The first component of today's word to enter English was fusty, originally the smell of used wine casks (14th century). Next came frowsy, from frowz, disheveled hair (17th century). Finally, someone confused the two in the 19th century (we don't know who) and, voila, frowsty.

What's the meaning of Frowsty?

frowsty in British English

(ˈfraʊstɪ ) adjectiveWord forms: -stier or -stiest. ill-smelling; stale; musty. Derived forms. frowstiness (ˈfrowstiness)

Where did the word really originate?

early 14c., "actually existing, having physical existence (not imaginary);" mid-15c., "relating to things" (especially property), from Old French reel "real, actual," from Late Latin. The meaning "genuine" is recorded from 1550s; the sense of "unaffected, no-nonsense" is from 1847.

What does Frousey mean?

1 : musty, stale. 2 : having a slovenly or uncared-for appearance.

Is Frowsty a word?

adjective, frowst·i·er, frowst·i·est. British Informal. musty; ill-smelling.

Where do new words come from? - Marcel Danesi

30 related questions found

What is julep in English?

1 : a drink consisting of a liquor (such as bourbon or brandy) and sugar poured over crushed ice and garnished with mint. 2 : a drink consisting of sweet syrup, flavoring, and water.

What does the word furtively means?

1a : done in a quiet and secretive way to avoid being noticed : surreptitious a furtive glance exchanged furtive smiles. b : expressive of stealth : sly had a furtive look about him. 2 : obtained underhandedly : stolen furtive gains.

What does Lucrid mean?

adjective. gruesome; horrible; revolting: the lurid details of an accident. glaringly vivid or sensational; shocking: the lurid tales of pulp magazines.

What is sphinx like smile?

mysterious and not allowing people to know what you are thinking: He sat silently with a sphinx-like smile on his face. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Not showing or feeling emotions.

How old is the word really?

The first known use of really was in the 15th century.

Why do we say really?

People use really to show that they are surprised or that the person they are speaking to may be surprised about something. Actually it was quite good really. I was really rather fond of Arthur. You can say really to express surprise or disbelief at what someone has said.

Is really a real word?

Really can be used in the following ways: as an adverb (with a verb): Do you really love her? (before an adjective or adverb): She's a really nice person. ... as a sentence adverb (making a comment on the whole sentence or clause): Really, it isn't important.

What does the word sluice gate mean?

/ (ˈsluːsˌɡeɪt) / noun. a valve or gate fitted to a sluice to control the rate of flow of waterSometimes shortened to: sluice See also floodgate (def. 1)

What does the noisome mean?

Something noisome is disgusting, offensive, or harmful, often in its smell. Noisome does not come from "noise," but from the Middle English word noysome, which has the same meaning as noisome.

What is it called when you are aware you are dreaming?

Lucid dreams are when you know that you're dreaming while you're asleep. You're aware that the events flashing through your brain aren't really happening. But the dream feels vivid and real. You may even be able to control how the action unfolds, as if you're directing a movie in your sleep.

Is lurid a bad word?

This description tends to hold a negative connotation, as the aesthetic of the object being described is unattractive and not well perceived by observers.

What does the name Lucid mean?

It's easy enough to shed some light on the origins of lucid: it derives—via the Latin adjective lucidus, meaning "shining"—from the Latin verb lucēre, meaning "to shine." Lucid has been used by English speakers since at least the late 16th century.

What does acting furtively mean?

If you do something furtively, you don't want anyone to notice you; you're keeping a low profile. Usually, a person acting furtively feels guilty, or knows they're in danger of getting in trouble or being embarrassed. Furtively comes from the Latin word for "theft," fur.

What does furtive mean in Lord of the Flies?

furtive = taking pains to avoid being observed. There was a slight, furtive boy whom no one knew, who kept to himself with an inner intensity of avoidance and secrecy.

Which vocabulary word has the following origin from the Latin Furtivus?

You might, for example, be suspicious of your best friend's furtiveness when three of the cupcakes you baked go missing. Furtiveness comes from the adjective furtive, or secretive: its root is the Latin furtivus, "stolen, hidden, or secret," which in turn comes from furtum, "theft or robbery."

Where does the word mint julep come from?

The word “julep” derives from the ancient Persian gulab, used to denote a sort of sweetened rosewater (if you've ever had gulab jamun at an Indian restaurant, it's made with just such a syrup). In classical Arabic, the word became julab, only to cross over into Latin as julapium.

Where does the name mint julep come from?

It's widely believed that the name of the drink comes from the Persian word gulab and the Arab word julab, both of which translate to “rosewater.” The term julep was also used to refer to any type of syrupy mixed drink taken with medicine.

Why is it called a julep?

The term "julep" is generally defined as a sweet drink, particularly one used as a vehicle for medicine. The word itself is derived from the Spanish "julepe", from Spanish Arabic, and this from the Persian word گلاب (Golâb), meaning rosewater.

Has been obsolete meaning?

Something that is obsolete is no longer needed because something better has been invented. So much equipment becomes obsolete almost as soon as it's made. Synonyms: outdated, old, passé, ancient More Synonyms of obsolete.