facetiae
Americanplural noun
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amusing or witty remarks or writings.
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Older Use. pornographic books or other writings.
plural noun
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humorous or witty sayings
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obscene or coarsely witty books
Etymology
Origin of facetiae
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin, plural of facētia “something witty, a joke”; see facete, -ia
Explanation
Facetiae is a plural noun that refers to witty sayings, clever jokes, and humorous writings. If you have a collection of joke books on your shelf, you have facetiae. Facetiae comes from the Latin word facetia, meaning "wit" or "cleverness." The word describes a genre of literature focused on humor and wit. Collections of facetiae were quite popular during the Renaissance. Educated readers enjoyed the short, pithy anecdotes and sharp-witted observations found in such collections. In later times, the term became a euphemism used in libraries as a label for more edgy writings or ribald humor. Today, a collection of facetiae likely includes works with a sophisticated style of comedy relying more on wordplay and irony than simple slapstick.
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.
"Still older than Joe Miller," was our reply; "for, if we mistake not, it is the very first anecdote in the facetiae of Hierocles."
From Rejected Addresses by Smith, James
It meant being chaffed and gibed at in language of which he only understood that it was cruel, though certain trite facetiae grew intelligible to him by repetition.
From Children of the Ghetto A Study of a Peculiar People by Zangwill, Israel
It is true, the methods were not many, being limited chiefly to that form of popular facetiae known as practical joking; and even this had assumed the seriousness of a business-pursuit.
From Tales of the Argonauts by Harte, Bret
The "Mathematical Problem", one of his juvenile facetiae in rhyme, was thus heralded with a letter addressed to his brother George explaining the import of the doggerel.
From Biographia Epistolaris, Volume 1. by Turnbull, A.
The second room, announced by the word "Counting-Room" on its door, harmonized with the grim facetiae of its neighbor.
From Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau by Balzac, Honoré de
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.
