See Also: nonsense(dictionary)
no-nonsense(dictionary)
nonsense(2)(dictionary)
nonsense(1)(dictionary)
nonsense(medicine)
nonsense verse(encyclopedia)
nonsense triplet(medicine)
nonsense syndrome(medicine)
nonsense suppression(medicine)
nonsense strand(medicine)

nonsense(1) (iou)



nonsense noun & adjective. In sense A.1 also non-sense. E17.
[from NON- + SENSE noun.]
A. noun.
That which is not sense or which differs from sense; absurd or meaningless words or ideas; foolish or extravagant conduct. Also as interjection. E17.
knock the nonsense out of force to abandon foolish or extravagant ideas or conduct. stand no nonsense (from) refuse to tolerate foolish or extravagant ideas or conduct (from). stuff and nonsense: see STUFF noun.
English Studies A 'steep ford' is quite obvious non-sense. G. Josipovici What nonsense!..you'll see there won't be any problems. A. Brien He became delirious. Started muttering nonsense. S. Hill 'She has insinuated herself.' 'Nonsense! We have known her for years.'
b. An instance of this; an arrangement of which one disapproves; a muddle, a fiasco, (freq. in make a nonsense (of)). M17.
Sir W. Scott I shall go on scribbling one nonsense or another. Listener A small steel works..is an economic nonsense.
Lack of feeling or physical sensation. Only in E17.
Absurdity, the quality of being nonsensical. M17.
Leigh Hunt The nonsense of ill-will.
Insubstantial or worthless matter, a trivial or worthless thing. M17.
Z. Tomin I'll get the boots..you'd only buy yourself another flimsy nonsense.
A meaning that makes no sense. M17-E18.
b. attrib. or as adjective.
Full of nonsense, nonsensical. E17.
Biology. Designating a codon which does not specify any amino acid; pertaining or giving rise to such a codon. M20.
Comb. & special collocations: nonsense syllable a syllable formed by putting a vowel between any two consonants, used in memory experiments and tests; nonsense verse comically nonsensical or whimsical verse intended to amuse by absurdity; an example of this; spec. a limerick; nonsense word a word having no accepted meaning; a nonsense syllable.
non,sensifi'cation noun (rare) the production of nonsense E19.