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bawdry

American  
[baw-dree] / ˈbɔ dri /

noun

  1. Archaic. lewdness; obscenity; bawdiness.

  2. Obsolete.

    1. the business of a prostitute.

    2. illicit intercourse; fornication.


bawdry British  
/ ˈbɔːdrɪ /

noun

  1. archaic obscene talk or language

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bawdry

First recorded in 1350–1400, bawdry is from the Middle English word bawdery. See bawd, -ery

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.

In Britain, Monty Python's Flying Circus tossed music-hall bawdry into a Dada format, and at home National Lampoon updated sick humor with a stinging Wasp edge.

From Time Magazine Archive

It's movie analysis with a serrated edge; film criticism as stand-up bawdry; intellectual improvisation that soars into the highest form of word jazz.

From Time Magazine Archive

The DAE's weakness in unprinted language may be connected with a reluctance to include unprintable language, for the great U.S. contributions to invective and bawdry are gravely slighted.

From Time Magazine Archive

Its bawdry is innocent, its humor earthy, its love songs are unselfconsciously sentimental.

From Time Magazine Archive

Nothing but downright bawdry: Sirrah, rascal, Is this an age for ribaldry in verse; When every gentleman in town speaks it With so much better grace, than thou canst write it?

From The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 02 by Scott, Walter, Sir