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quaint

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

quaint

Main Entry:: quaint
Pronunciation:: \ˈkwānt\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: Middle English queinte, cointe, from Anglo-French, clever, expert, from Latin cognitus, past participle of cognoscere to know — more at cognition
Date:: 13th century

1obsolete : expert, skilled2 a: marked by skillful design <quaint with many a device in India ink — Herman Melville> b: marked by beauty or elegance3 a: unusual or different in character or appearance : odd <figures of fun, quaint people — Herman Wouk> b: pleasingly or strikingly old-fashioned or unfamiliar

synonyms see strange

— quaint·ly adverb

— quaint·ness noun

Learn more about "quaint" and related topics at Britannica.com

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