Dictionary

scurrile en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˈskɝɹɪl/ (US)
• /ˈskʌɹaɪl/ (UK)
• /ˈskɝɹaɪl/ (US)

Etymology

From French scurrile, from Latin scurrilis.

Meanings

1. (archaic) Scurrilous.
   • A scurrile or obscene jest[…] will better advance you at the court of Charles than your father's ancient name. 1822, [Walter Scott], Peveril of the Peak. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), Edinburgh: […] Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., →OCLC:
   • the wretched affectation of scurril laughter 1668, Thomas Spratt, The Works of Mr Abraham Cowley, Preface:
   • ’Tis not scurrile this, but chaste, honest, most part serious, and even of religion itself. 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, III.1.1.i:
   • For had an Angel bin his discipliner, unlesse it were for dwelling too much upon Ciceronianisms, & had chastiz'd the reading, not the vanity, it had bin plainly partiall; first to correct him for grave Cicero, and not for scurrill Plautus, whom he confesses to have bin reading not long before 1644, John Milton, Areopagitica; a Speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of Unlicenc’d Printing, to the Parlament of England, London: [s.n.], →OCLC:

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