scurrile
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of scurrile
1560–70; < Latin scurrīlis jeering, equivalent to scurr ( a ) buffoon + -īlis -ile
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.
There is nothing so high in art," he says, "but that a scurrile jest can reach at, and often the greater the work the easier it is to turn it into ridicule.
From Six Centuries of Painting by Davies, Randall
Those lips had certainly never parted to laugh at or to utter a scurrile jest.
From L'Arrabiata and Other Tales by Heyse, Paul
"Pshaw, rascal," answered Cromwell, contemptuously, "keep your scurrile jests for the gibbet foot."
From Woodstock; or, the Cavalier by Scott, Walter, Sir
You know that you speak safely, fellow," rejoined Wyvil, "and you, therefore, give full license to your scurrile tongue.
From Old Saint Paul's A Tale of the Plague and the Fire by Ainsworth, William Harrison
"Peace with thy scurrile jests!" answered Edith, colouring deeply.
From The Talisman by Scott, Walter, Sir
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.
