Debonair
From Nordan Symposia
Revision as of 20:04, 16 April 2013 by Rdavis (talk | contribs) (Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame ==Origin== [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PER...')
Origin
Middle English debonere, from Anglo-French deboneire, from de bon aire of good family or nature
Definitions
- 1archaic : gentle, courteous
- 2a : suave, urbane <a debonair performer>
- b : lighthearted, nonchalant
Synonyms
Quote
The frolic wind that breathes the spring, Zephyr with Aurora playing, As he met her once a-Maying, There on beds of violets blue, And fresh-blown roses washed in dew, Filled her with a daughter fair, So buxom, blithe, and debonair. - -John Milton c.1631 L'Allegro, l.18^24. The'daughter fair' is Euphrosyne, or Mirth, one of the Three Graces.