antic
[ an-tik ]
/ ˈæn tɪk /
noun
Usually antics.
- a playful trick or prank; caper.
- a grotesque, fantastic, or ludicrous gesture, act, or posture.
Archaic.
- an actor in a grotesque or ridiculous presentation.
- a buffoon; clown.
Obsolete.
- a grotesque theatrical presentation; ridiculous interlude.
- a grotesque or fantastic sculptured figure, as a gargoyle.
adjective
ludicrous; funny.
fantastic; odd; grotesque: an antic disposition.
verb (used without object), an·ticked, an·tick·ing.
Obsolete. to perform antics; caper.
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Origin of antic
1520–30; earlier antike, antique < Italian antico ancient (< Latin antīcus, antīquus; see antique), apparently taken to mean “grotesque,” as used in descriptions of fantastic figures found in Roman ruins
OTHER WORDS FROM antic
an·ti·cal·ly, adverbWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH antic
antic antiqueWords nearby antic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for antics
British Dictionary definitions for antics (1 of 2)
antics
/ (ˈæntɪks) /
pl n
absurd or grotesque acts or postures
British Dictionary definitions for antics (2 of 2)
antic
/ (ˈæntɪk) /
noun
archaic an actor in a ludicrous or grotesque part; clown; buffoon
adjective
archaic fantastic; grotesque
See also antics
Word Origin for antic
C16: from Italian antico something ancient, or grotesque (from its application to fantastic carvings found in ruins of ancient Rome); see antique
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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