addle pate

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word addle pate. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word addle pate, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say addle pate in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word addle pate you have here. The definition of the word addle pate will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofaddle pate, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: addlepate

English

Etymology

From addle (confused) +‎ pate (head).

Noun

addle pate (plural addle pates)

  1. (archaic) A foolish or dull-witted person.
    • 1882, Frank Lee Benedict, “Miss Alderly's Law-Suit”, in Peterson's Magazine, volumes 81-82, page 443:
      Then he executed a war-dance, and at its close stepped before Crawford, regarded him for an instant, and croaked out:
      Addle-pate! Addle-pate!”
      “Upon my word, I believe you are the foul fiend himself,” muttered Mark.
  2. (archaic) Such a person’s brain or mental faculties.
    • 1792, Thomas Holcroft, Anna St. Ives:
      Am I to be ramshaklt out of the super nakullums in spite o’ my teeth? Yea and go softly! I crack the nut and you eat the kernel!
      I tellee once again you’ve an addle pate o’ your own! [...] Squire Nincompoop!
    • 1910, Grace S. Richmond, Red Pepper Burns:
      “Go to bed, and don’t bother your addle pate about your neighbours. Can’t a man cut up a few sticks without your coming to investigate?”

References

  • 1811 Dictionary of Vulgar Tongue

Anagrams