GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Pretty (?), a. [Compar. Prettier (?); superl. Prettiest.] [OE. prati, AS. prættig, prætig, crafty, sly, akin to præt, prætt, deceit, trickery, Icel. prettugr tricky, prettr a trick; probably fr. Latin, perhaps through Celtic; cf. W. praith act, deed, practice, LL. practica execution, practice, plot. See Practice.]
   1. Pleasing by delicacy or grace; attracting, but not striking or impressing; of a pleasing and attractive form a color; having slight or diminutive beauty; neat or elegant without elevation or grandeur; pleasingly, but not grandly, conceived or expressed; as, “a pretty face; a pretty flower; a pretty poem.”
   
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   This is the prettiest lowborn lass that ever
   
   Ran on the greensward. Shak.
   
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   2. Moderately large; considerable; as, “he had saved a pretty fortune”. “Wavering a pretty while.”  Evelyn.
   
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   3. Affectedly nice; foppish; -- used in an ill sense.
   
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   The pretty gentleman is the most complaisant in the world. Spectator.
   
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   4. Mean; despicable; contemptible; -- used ironically; as, “a pretty trick; a pretty fellow.”
   
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   5. Stout; strong and brave; intrepid; valiant. [Scot.]
   
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   [He] observed they were pretty men, meaning not handsome. Sir W. Scott.
   
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   Syn. -- Elegant; neat; fine. See Handsome.
   
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2.       
   Pretty (?), adv. In some degree; moderately; considerably; rather; almost; -- less emphatic than very; as, “I am pretty sure of the fact; pretty cold weather.”
   
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   Pretty plainly professes himself a sincere Christian. Atterbury.
   
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