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quidnunc. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
quidnunc, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
quidnunc in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Etymology
From Latin quid nunc? (“what now?”).
Pronunciation
Noun
quidnunc (plural quidnuncs)
- (archaic) A person eager to learn news and scandal.
- Synonyms: busybody, buttinsky, gossip, newsmonger, yenta
1785, Rudolf Erich Raspe, chapter V, in The Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchausen:We all did our duty, which, in the patriot's, soldier's, and gentleman's language, is a very comprehensive word, of great honour, meaning, and import, and of which the generality of idle quidnuncs and coffee-house politicians can hardly form any but a very mean and contemptible idea.
1809, Washington Irving, chapter VIII, in Knickerbocker's History of New York, volume 5:[…] but still something was necessary to convince the community at large, to quiet those praying quidnuncs who should come after them--in short, the world must be satisfied.
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