Difference between revisions of "Ugliness"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Old Norse uggligr, from uggr fear; akin to Old Norse ugga to [[fear]] | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Old Norse uggligr, from uggr fear; akin to Old Norse ugga to [[fear]] | ||
| − | [ | + | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_century 131th Century] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1: frightful, dire | *1: frightful, dire | ||
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:b : surly, quarrelsome <an ugly disposition> | :b : surly, quarrelsome <an ugly disposition> | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | '''Ugliness''' is a [[property]] of a [[person]] or [[thing]] that is unpleasant to look upon and results in a highly unfavorable [[evaluation]]. To be ugly is to be [[aesthetically]] unattractive, repulsive, or [[offensive]]. Like its [[opposite]], [[beauty]], ugliness involves a [[subjective]] [[judgment]] and is at least partly in the "eye of the beholder." Thus, the [[perception]] of ugliness can be mistaken or short-sighted, as in the story of [ | + | '''Ugliness''' is a [[property]] of a [[person]] or [[thing]] that is unpleasant to look upon and results in a highly unfavorable [[evaluation]]. To be ugly is to be [[aesthetically]] unattractive, repulsive, or [[offensive]]. Like its [[opposite]], [[beauty]], ugliness involves a [[subjective]] [[judgment]] and is at least partly in the "eye of the beholder." Thus, the [[perception]] of ugliness can be mistaken or short-sighted, as in the story of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ugly_Duckling ''The Ugly Duckling''] by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Christian_Andersen Hans Christian Andersen]. |
Although ugliness is normally viewed as a [[visible]] characteristic, it can also be an internal [[attribute]]. For example, an [[individual]] could be outwardly [[attractive]] but inwardly thoughtless and [[cruel]]. It is also possible to be in an "ugly [[mood]]," which is a temporary, internal state of unpleasantness. | Although ugliness is normally viewed as a [[visible]] characteristic, it can also be an internal [[attribute]]. For example, an [[individual]] could be outwardly [[attractive]] but inwardly thoughtless and [[cruel]]. It is also possible to be in an "ugly [[mood]]," which is a temporary, internal state of unpleasantness. | ||
| − | For some people, ugliness is a central aspect of their [[persona]]. [ | + | For some people, ugliness is a central aspect of their [[persona]]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Paul_Sartre Jean-Paul Sartre] had a lazy eye and a bloated, asymmetrical face, and he attributed many of his [[philosophical]] [[ideas]] to his life-long [[struggle]] to come to terms with his self-described ugliness. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socrates Socrates] also used his ugliness as a [[philosophical]] touch point, concluding that philosophy can save us from our outward ugliness. [[Famous]] in his own time for his [[perceived]] ugliness, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln Abraham Lincoln] was described by a contemporary: "to say that he is ugly is nothing; to add that his figure is [[grotesque]], is to convey no adequate impression." However, his looks proved to be an [[asset]] in his [[personal]] and [[political]] [[relationships]], as his law partner [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Herndon_(lawyer) William Herndon] wrote, "He was not a pretty man by any means, nor was he an ugly one; he was a homely man, careless of his looks, plain-looking and plain-acting. He had no pomp, display, or [[dignity]], so-called. He appeared [[simple]] in his carriage and bearing. He was a sad-looking man; his [[melancholy]] dripped from him as he walked. His [[apparent]] gloom impressed his friends, and created [[sympathy]] for him - one means of his great success." |
[[Category: General Reference]] | [[Category: General Reference]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:41, 13 December 2020
Origin
Middle English, from Old Norse uggligr, from uggr fear; akin to Old Norse ugga to fear 131th Century
Definitions
- b : offensive or unpleasant to any sense
- 3: morally offensive or objectionable <corruption—the ugliest stain of all>
- 4a : likely to cause inconvenience or discomfort <the ugly truth>
- b : surly, quarrelsome <an ugly disposition>
Description
Ugliness is a property of a person or thing that is unpleasant to look upon and results in a highly unfavorable evaluation. To be ugly is to be aesthetically unattractive, repulsive, or offensive. Like its opposite, beauty, ugliness involves a subjective judgment and is at least partly in the "eye of the beholder." Thus, the perception of ugliness can be mistaken or short-sighted, as in the story of The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen.
Although ugliness is normally viewed as a visible characteristic, it can also be an internal attribute. For example, an individual could be outwardly attractive but inwardly thoughtless and cruel. It is also possible to be in an "ugly mood," which is a temporary, internal state of unpleasantness.
For some people, ugliness is a central aspect of their persona. Jean-Paul Sartre had a lazy eye and a bloated, asymmetrical face, and he attributed many of his philosophical ideas to his life-long struggle to come to terms with his self-described ugliness. Socrates also used his ugliness as a philosophical touch point, concluding that philosophy can save us from our outward ugliness. Famous in his own time for his perceived ugliness, Abraham Lincoln was described by a contemporary: "to say that he is ugly is nothing; to add that his figure is grotesque, is to convey no adequate impression." However, his looks proved to be an asset in his personal and political relationships, as his law partner William Herndon wrote, "He was not a pretty man by any means, nor was he an ugly one; he was a homely man, careless of his looks, plain-looking and plain-acting. He had no pomp, display, or dignity, so-called. He appeared simple in his carriage and bearing. He was a sad-looking man; his melancholy dripped from him as he walked. His apparent gloom impressed his friends, and created sympathy for him - one means of his great success."
