Related Words
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honor bright!
A protestation of honor among the vulgar; originating with, and still retained in commemoration of, ...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
Ingenious; possessing an active mind.--Webster.
This is a common use of the word in the United States. Neither Johnson nor Todd gives this definition of it. Two of their definitions are, "illuminated with science; sparkling with wit." We say, a bright child, but would not say that Newton or Bacon was bright, for the term does not express enough to be applied to those great minds. In poetry, how ever, it does well enough, even when applied to one of these great philosophers.
If parts allure thee, think how Bacon shin'd,
The wisest, brightest, meanest of mankind.--Pope.
A protestation of honor among the vulgar; originating with, and still retained in commemoration of, ...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.