20 February 2015

dour

[doo r, douuh r, dou-er]

adjective
1. sullen; gloomy:
The captain’s dour look depressed us all.
2. severe; stern:
His dour criticism made us regret having undertaken the job.
3. Scot. (of land) barren; rocky, infertile, or otherwise difficult or impossible to cultivate.

Origin
Middle English, Latin
1325-1375; Middle English < Latin dūrus dure1

Related forms
dourly, adverb
dourness, noun
Synonyms

1. morose, sour, moody. See glum.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for dour

– So far the show favors dour bickering over fish-out-of-water rural humor, much to its detriment.
– And people ask me why I look so dour.
– These tales will undoubtedly delight dog lovers and will not fail to charm even the most dour skeptics of supernatural phenomena.

Today’s quote

There’s something wrong with that boy. He frowns for no reason.

– William S. Burroughs (in conversation with his secretary after a visit from Kurt Cobain)

On this day

20 February 1895 – death of Frederick Douglass, considered to be the father of the American civil rights movement. Douglass was a social reformer,orator, writer, statesmen and preacher. He was born circa February 1818.

20 February 1970 – birth of Kurt Cobain. Lead singer, guitarist and lyricist for Nirvana. Died approximately 5 April 1994.

20 February 2005 – death of Hunter S. Thompson, American writer and gonzo journalist. Born 18 July 1937.