Quasimodo

¹

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

noun

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

Quasimodo

²

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

noun

1. Sal·va·to·re [sahl-vah-, taw, -, r, e], 1901–68, Italian poet: Nobel Prize 1959.

Quasimodo

/ ˌkwɔːzɪˈməʊdəʊ /

noun

1. another name for Low Sunday
2. a character in Victor Hugo's novel Notre-Dame de Paris (1831), a grotesque hunch-backed bellringer of the cathedral of Notre Dame
3. kwaˈziːmodo QuasimodoSalvatore19011968MItalianWRITING: poet 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Quasimodo¹

First recorded in 1840–50 Quasimodo ¹fordef 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 Quasimodo ¹fordef 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of Quasimodo¹

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

Example Sentences

With his jarring sinister performances—part art-rock, part bawdy Musical Hall—he became the Caliban/Quasimodo of Punk.

From The Daily Beast

The audacity of the fearless Greek had carried him through so far, but Quasimodo had spoilt him at last.

From Project Gutenberg

Quasimodo conceals her for a time in the church, but after various adventures she is gibbeted.

From Project Gutenberg

At length the archdeacon, giving Quasimodo's powerful shoulder a rough shake, made him a sign to rise and follow him.

From Project Gutenberg

The priest resumed his sombre gravity, made a sign to Quasimodo, and retired in silence.

From Project Gutenberg

In closing, it had cut off the only ray of joy and of light which still made its way into the soul of Quasimodo.

From Project Gutenberg