different between absurdity vs levity

English

Etymology

First attested around 1472. From Middle English absurdite, then from either Middle French absurdité, or from Late Latin absurditas (“dissonance, incongruity”), from Latin absurdus +? -itas (“quality, state, degree”). Equivalent to absurd +? -ity.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?b?s??d.?.ti/
• (US) IPA^(key): /æb?s?d.?.ti/, /æb?z?d.?.ti/, /?b?s?d.?.ti/, /?b?z?d.?.ti/

Noun

absurdity (countable and uncountable, plural absurdities)

1. (countable) That which is absurd; an absurd action; a logical contradiction. [First attested in the late 15^th century.]
2. (uncountable) The quality of being absurd or inconsistent with obvious truth, reason, or sound judgment. [First attested in the early 16^th century.]
3. (obsolete, rare) Dissonance. [Attested from around 1350 to 1470 until the late 17^th century.]

Translations

References

English

Etymology

Coined in 1564, from Latin levit?s (“lightness, frivolity”), from levis (“lightness (in weight)”). Cognate to lever, and more distantly, light.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?l?.v?.ti/

Noun

levity (usually uncountable, plural levities)

1. Lightness of manner or speech, frivolity; lack of appropriate seriousness; inclination to make a joke of serious matters.
2. (obsolete) Lack of steadiness.
3. The state or quality of being light, buoyancy.

   • Most of the confidences were unsought - frequently I have feigned sleep, preoccupation or a hostile levity […]

   • 1838, Robert Montgomery Bird, Peter Pilgrim

     […] it would really seem as if there was something nomadic in our natures, a principle of levity and restlessness […]

   • 1869, Mary Somerville, On Molecular and Microscopic Science 1.1.12:

     Hydrogen […] rises in the air on account of its levity.

4. (countable) A lighthearted or frivolous act.

Antonyms

• gravity

Derived terms

• levitous

Translations

References