pococurante
Americannoun
adjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of pococurante
First recorded in 1755–65; from Italian: literally, “caring little,” equivalent to poco indefinite adjective and adverb + curante present participle of curare “to treat, care”; see origin at few ( def. ), poco, cure, -ant
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I have heard great talk," said Candide, "of the Senator Pococurante, who lives in that fine house at the Brenta, where, they say, he entertains foreigners in the most polite manner.
From Voltaire's Romances, Complete in One Volume by
There are maxims in this writer," replied Pococurante, "from whence a man of the world may reap some benefit; and the short measure of the verse makes them more easy to retain in the memory.
From Voltaire's Romances, Complete in One Volume by
Accordingly, Candide and his friend Martin went in a gondola on the Brenta, and arrived at the palace of the noble Pococurante.
From Voltaire's Romances, Complete in One Volume by
Pococurante, pō-kō-kōō-ran′te, n. a careless or inattentive person.—ns.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various
There are maxims in this writer," answered Pococurante, "from which a man of the world may reap great benefit, and being written in energetic verse they are more easily impressed upon the memory.
From Candide by Voltaire
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
