Wordsmith Talk |
About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us | |||
Register Log In Wordsmith Talk Forums General Topics Q&A about words comely
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
this is an interesting pair. comely has always had the sense of "fair, pretty, ‘nice-looking’, pleasing: in modern use implying a lower or homelier style of personal beauty, which pleases but does not excite admiration"; and homely was originally characteristic of the home, esp. a humble home, and when applied to a person, "of commonplace appearance or features; not beautiful, ‘plain’, uncomely. [E.A.]
[quotes from OED2]
so, getting out the ol' continuum chart,
ugly______________homely___comely_____________beautiful
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted ![]()
comely
ginax 11/12/2002 4:42 PM ![]()
Re: comely
Faldage 11/12/2002 4:46 PM ![]()
Re: comely
wwh 11/12/2002 4:55 PM ![]()
Re: comely
wwh 11/12/2002 4:58 PM ![]()
Re: comely/homely
tsuwm 11/12/2002 6:05 PM
Moderated by Jackie
Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Rules · Mark All Read Contact Us · Forum Help · Wordsmith Talk