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antics - 2 dictionary results

an⋅tic

  [an-tik] noun, adjective, verb, -ticked, -tick⋅ing.
Use antics in a Sentence
–noun
1. Usually, antics.
a. a playful trick or prank; caper.
b. a grotesque, fantastic, or ludicrous gesture, act, or posture.
2. Archaic.
a. an actor in a grotesque or ridiculous presentation.
b. a buffoon; clown.
3. Obsolete.
a. a grotesque theatrical presentation; ridiculous interlude.
b. a grotesque or fantastic sculptured figure, as a gargoyle.
–adjective
4. ludicrous; funny.
5. fantastic; odd; grotesque: an antic disposition.
–verb (used without object)
6. Obsolete. to perform antics; caper.
Origin:
1520–30; earlier antike, antique < It antico ancient (< L antīcus, antīquus; see antique ), appar. taken to mean “grotesque,” as used in descriptions of fantastic figures found in Roman ruins

Related forms:
an⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To antics
an·tic   (ān'tĭk)   
n.  
  1. A ludicrous or extravagant act or gesture; a caper.
  2. Archaic A buffoon, especially a performing clown.
adj.  Ludicrously odd; fantastic.

[From Italian antico, ancient (used of grotesque designs on some ancient Roman artifacts), from Latin antīquus, former, old; see ant- in Indo-European roots.]
an'ti·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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