Quasimodo

[ kwah-suh-moh-doh, -zuh-moh- ]

noun

Low Sunday.
the ugly, humpbacked protagonist of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, by Victor Hugo.

Origin of Quasimodo

First recorded in 1840–50 for def. 1; from Late Latin, from the opening words of the introit antiphon for the Sunday: Quasi modo genitī infantēs … “As just born children …” (1 Pet. 2:2); 1830–35 for def. 2

Words Nearby Quasimodo

Other definitions for Quasimodo (2 of 2)

Quasimodo²

[ kwah-suh-moh-doh, -zuh-moh-; Italian kwah-zee-maw-daw ]

noun

Sal·va·to·re [sahl-vah-taw-re], /ˌsɑl vɑˈtɔ rɛ/, 1901–68, Italian poet: Nobel Prize 1959.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Quasimodo in a sentence

With his jarring sinister performances—part art-rock, part bawdy Musical Hall—he became the Caliban/Quasimodo of Punk.
Dead Cool: Ian Dury | Simon Doonan | April 23, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
The audacity of the fearless Greek had carried him through so far, but Quasimodo had spoilt him at last.
Jack Harkaway and His Son's Escape From the Brigand's of Greece | Bracebridge Hemyng
Quasimodo conceals her for a time in the church, but after various adventures she is gibbeted.
Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama, Vol 1 | The Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D.
At length the archdeacon, giving Quasimodo's powerful shoulder a rough shake, made him a sign to rise and follow him.
Notre-Dame de Paris | Victor Hugo
The priest resumed his sombre gravity, made a sign to Quasimodo, and retired in silence.
Notre-Dame de Paris | Victor Hugo

In closing, it had cut off the only ray of joy and of light which still made its way into the soul of Quasimodo.
Notre-Dame de Paris | Victor Hugo

British Dictionary definitions for Quasimodo

Quasimodo

/ (ˌkwɔːzɪˈməʊdəʊ) /

noun

another name for Low Sunday
a character in Victor Hugo's novel Notre-Dame de Paris (1831), a grotesque hunch-backed bellringer of the cathedral of Notre Dame

(Italian kwaˈziːmodo) Salvatore (salvaˈtoːre). 1901–68, Italian poet, whose early work expresses symbolist ideas and techniques. His later work is more concerned with political and social issues: Nobel prize for literature 1959

Origin of Quasimodo

(sense 1) from the opening words of the Latin introit for that day, quasimodo geniti infantes as new-born babies

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

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