nonstarter
[ non-stahr-ter ]
/ nɒnˈstɑr tər /
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noun
an issue, plan, etc., that does not get or deserve to get under way.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of nonstarter
First recorded in 1905–10
Words nearby nonstarter
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for nonstarter
British Dictionary definitions for nonstarter
nonstarter
/ (nɒnˈstɑːtə) /
noun
a horse that fails to run in a race for which it has been entered
a person or thing that is useless, has little chance of success, etc
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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