Meaning of Antic | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A grotesque representation of a figure; a gargoyle.
   obsolete
2. A pose, often exaggerated, in anticipation of an action; for example, a brief squat before jumping
3. A caricature.
4. A ludicrous gesture or act; ridiculous behaviour; caper.
   in-plural, often
5. A grotesque performer or clown, buffoon.

Equivalents

Examples

“I'm fed up with your constant antics in class. Please behave yourself!”

“Two sets of manners, could the youth put on; / And, fraught with antics as the Indian bird / That writhes and chatters in her wiry cage, / Was graceful, when it pleased him, smooth and still / As the mute Swan that floats adown the stream, […]”

“The woman opened the cover now and then, whereupon the kitten would put out its head, and indulge in playful antics.”

“I've 'ad about enough of you and your antics. I been thinking you over, you and your war and your Empire and all the rot of it.”

“Toad ceased his frivolous antics at once. He became grave and depressed, and a dull pain in the lower part of his spine, communicating itself to his legs, made him want to sit down and try desperately not to think of all the possibilities.”

“She put Rosebud through his paces in the ring, and received her share of applause at the antics of the clever horse.”

“Of their elders some, by imitating the antics of youth, strive to persuade themselves that their day is not yet over; they shout with the lustiest, but the war cry sounds hollow in their mouth;[…]”

“I saw the barren horror of your people's leisure with the million entertained by the antics of a tiny few […]”

“Pintsize: Wait, don’t you want to know why I’m tied up and hanging from the ceiling? / Faye: Not really. Nighty night! / Pintsize: Shit! My wacky antics have jumped the shark!”

“The Grave-maker, like the professional fools and Falstaff, and like Hamlet himself, is an antic, a grotesque, one who demonstrates to men how foolish and”

CEFR level