Racy
- Racy
- Racy Ra"cy (r[=a]"s[y^]), a. [Compar. {Racier}
(r[=a]"s[i^]*[~e]r); superl. {Raciest}.] [From {Race} a
tribe, family.]
1. Having a strong flavor indicating origin; of distinct
characteristic taste; tasting of the soil; hence, fresh;
rich.
[1913 Webster]
The racy wine,
Late from the mellowing cask restored to light.
--Pope.
[1913 Webster]
2. Hence: Exciting to the mental taste by a strong or
distinctive character of thought or language; peculiar and
piquant; fresh and lively.
[1913 Webster]
Our raciest, most idiomatic popular words. --M.
Arnold.
[1913 Webster]
Burns's English, though not so racy as his Scotch,
is generally correct. --H.
Coleridge.
[1913 Webster]
The rich and racy humor of a natural converser fresh
from the plow. --Prof.
Wilson.
[1913 Webster]
3. somewhat suggestive of sexual themes; slightly improper;
risqu['e].
[PJC]
Syn: Spicy; spirited; lively; smart; piquant; risqu["u].
Usage: {Racy}, {Spicy}. Racy refers primarily to that
peculiar flavor which certain wines are supposed to
derive from the soil in which the grapes were grown;
and hence we call a style or production racy when it
``smacks of the soil,'' or has an uncommon degree of
natural freshness and distinctiveness of thought and
language. Spicy, when applied to style, has reference
to a spirit and pungency added by art, seasoning the
matter like a condiment. It does not, like racy,
suggest native peculiarity. A spicy article in a
magazine; a spicy retort. Racy in conversation; a racy
remark.
[1913 Webster]
Rich, racy verses, in which we
The soil from which they come, taste, smell, and
see. --Cowley.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
2000.
:
Look at other dictionaries:
racy — [rā′sē] adj. racier, raciest [ RACE2 + Y2] 1. having the characteristic taste, flavor, or quality associated with the original or genuine type [racy fruit] 2. lively; spirited; vigorous 3. piquant; pungent … English World dictionary
racy — (adj.) 1650s, having a characteristic taste (of wines, fruits, etc.), from RACE (Cf. race) (n.2) in its older sense of flavor + Y (Cf. y) (2); meaning having a quality of vigor (1660s) led to that of improper, risqué, first recorded 1901,… … Etymology dictionary
racy — [adj1] energetic, zestful animated, bright, buoyant, clever, distinctive, entertaining, exciting, exhilarating, fiery, forceful, forcible, gingery, heady, keen, lively, mettlesome, peppery, piquant, playful, poignant, pungent, rich, salty, saucy* … New thesaurus
racy — index lurid, suggestive (risqué) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
racy — *pungent, piquant, poignant, spicy, snappy Analogous words: exciting, stimulating, quickening, provoking or provocative (see corresponding verbs at PROVOKE): *spirited, mettlesome, fiery, gingery, peppery Contrasted words: *insipid, flat, jejune … New Dictionary of Synonyms
racy — ► ADJECTIVE (racier, raciest) 1) suggestive; risqué. 2) lively, vigorous, or spirited. DERIVATIVES racily adverb raciness noun … English terms dictionary
racy — I. adjective (racier; est) Etymology: 3race Date: circa 1650 1. a. full of zest or vigor b. having a strongly marked quality ; piquant < a racy flavor > c. risque … New Collegiate Dictionary
racy — UK [ˈreɪsɪ] / US adjective Word forms racy : adjective racy comparative racier superlative raciest a racy story, film, or play is slightly shocking in the way that it describes or shows sex Derived words: racily adverb raciness noun uncountable … English dictionary
racy — rac|y [ˈreısi] adj [Date: 1600 1700; Origin: race particular taste (16 19 centuries)] racy writing is exciting and entertaining and often about sex ▪ a racy novel … Dictionary of contemporary English
racy — adjective speech or writing that is racy is exciting and entertaining: racy jokes/humour/stories (=connected with sex) racily adverb raciness noun (U) … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
