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Wednesday 28 March 2012

Entry: scrofulous (adj.)


In context: "First there are the younger scrofulous boneheaded black-T-shirt-and-spiked-braclet types who do not have the the sense to regret the impulsive permanency of their tatts, and will show them off to you with the same fake-quiet pride with which someone more of Ewell's own social stratum would show off their collection of Dynastic crockery or fine Sauvignon."


Definition: Caused by, or of the nature of scrofula.

Scrofula (n.):   A constitutional disease characterized mainly by chronic enlargement and degeneration of the lymphatic glands


Other:  DFW is reaching here a bit.  I looked up the symptoms of scrofula, and can't find anything that would make this sentence make sense.


Oh wait.


Always check the entire list of definitions.


fig. Of literature, etc.: Morally corrupt.


So it turns out the word is perfectly cromulent.


SNOOT score: 1

Page:206
 
Source: Oxford English Dictionary


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