blunt
Verb · AdjectiveOpen English WordNet
Adjective (4)
- having a broad or rounded end“thick marks made by a blunt pencil”Opposite pointedSimilar pointless, unpointed
- used of a knife or other blade; not sharp“a blunt instrument”Opposite sharpSimilar dull
- characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion“blunt talking and straight shooting”“a blunt New England farmer”“I gave them my candid opinion”“forthright criticism”“a forthright approach to the problem”“tell me what you think — and you may just as well be frank”“it is possible to be outspoken without being rude”“plainspoken and to the point”“a point-blank accusation”Synonyms: candidforthrightfrankfree-spokenoutspokenplainspokenpoint-blankstraight-from-the-shoulderOpposite indirectSimilar direct
- devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment“the blunt truth”“the crude facts”“facing the stark reality of the deadline”Synonyms: crudestarkOpposite conditionalSimilar unconditional, unconditioned
Verb (5)blunted, blunting
- make less intense“blunted emotions”More general weaken
- make numb or insensitive“The shock numbed her senses”Synonyms: numbbenumbdullMore general desensitize, desensitise
- make dull or blunt“Too much cutting dulls the knife's edge”Synonyms: dullOpposite sharpenMore general change, alter
- make less sharp“blunt the knives”More general change, alter
- make less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation“Terror blunted her feelings”“deaden a sound”Synonyms: deadenOpposite livenMore general change, alterMore specific dampen, petrify, obtund
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: Cf. Prov. G. bludde a dull or blunt knife, Dan. blunde to sleep, Sw. & Icel. blunda; or perh. akin to E. blind.
1. Having a thick edge or point, as an instrument; dull; not sharp.
The murderous knife was dull and blunt.— William Shakespeare
2. Dull in understanding; slow of discernment; stupid; — opposed to acute.
His wits are not so blunt.— William Shakespeare
3. Abrupt in address; plain; unceremonious; wanting the forms of civility; rough in manners or speech. “Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behavior.” “A plain, blunt man.” William Shakespeare
4. Hard to impress or penetrate. rare
I find my heart hardened and blunt to new impressions.— Alexander Pope
☞ Blunt is much used in composition, as blunt-edged, blunt-sighted, blunt-spoken.
Synonyms: Obtuse; dull; pointless; curt; short; coarse; rude; brusque; impolite; uncivil.
1. To dull the edge or point of, by making it thicker; to make blunt. William Shakespeare
2. To repress or weaken, as any appetite, desire, or power of the mind; to impair the force, keenness, or susceptibility, of; as, to blunt the feelings.
1. A fencer's foil. obsolete
2. A short needle with a strong point. See Needle.
3. Money. cant Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54