rubious en · ADJ
Etymology
From ruby + -ous.
Meanings
-
(rare) Ruby-colored.
As Shaw became less of the rubious-bearded rebel and more of the Public Institution, reporter-hunted, bore-pursued, the partnership must have been hard work at times.
[1948], “[Minds] Bernard Shaw”, in Observer Profiles (Biography Index Reprint Series), Freeport, N.Y.: Books for Libraries Press, published [1970], →OCLC, page 150:Dianas lip Is not more ſmooth, and rubious: thy ſmall pipe Is as the maidens organ, ſhrill, and ſound, And all is ſemblatiue a womans part.
c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv], page 257, column 2:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more rubious | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most rubious | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |