fulsomeness

fulsomeness
fulsome ► ADJECTIVE 1) complimentary or flattering to an excessive degree. 2) of large size or quantity; generous or abundant: fulsome details.
DERIVATIVES fulsomely adverb fulsomeness noun.
USAGE Although the earliest sense of fulsome was ‘abundant’, this is now regarded by many as incorrect; the correct meaning today is said to be ‘excessively flattering’. This gives rise to ambiguity: the possibility that while for one speaker fulsome praise will be a genuine compliment, for others it will be interpreted as an insult.

English terms dictionary. 2015.

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  • Fulsomeness — Fulsome Ful some, a. [Full, a. + some.] 1. Full; abundant; plenteous; not shriveled. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] His lean, pale, hoar, and withered corpse grew fulsome, fair, and fresh. Golding. [1913 Webster] 2. Offending or disgusting by overfullness …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fulsomeness — noun see fulsome …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • fulsomeness — See fulsomely. * * * …   Universalium

  • fulsomeness — noun The state or quality of being fulsome or showing overdone and insincere flattery. Syn: unctuousness, unctuosity, oleaginousness …   Wiktionary

  • fulsomeness — n. excess; crudeness, lack of good taste, offensiveness; repulsiveness, obnoxiousness …   English contemporary dictionary

  • fulsomeness — ful·some·ness …   English syllables

  • fulsomeness — noun 1. excessive but superficial compliments given with affected charm • Syn: ↑unction, ↑smarm • Derivationally related forms: ↑fulsome, ↑smarmy (for: ↑smarm) • …   Useful english dictionary

  • oiliness — noun 1. smug self serving earnestness • Syn: ↑fulsomeness, ↑oleaginousness, ↑smarminess, ↑unctuousness, ↑unction • Derivationally related forms: ↑unctuous (for: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • oleaginousness — noun 1. smug self serving earnestness • Syn: ↑fulsomeness, ↑oiliness, ↑smarminess, ↑unctuousness, ↑unction • Derivationally related forms: ↑unctuous (for: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • smarminess — noun smug self serving earnestness • Syn: ↑fulsomeness, ↑oiliness, ↑oleaginousness, ↑unctuousness, ↑unction • Derivationally related forms: ↑unctuous (for: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

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