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flippancy

 - 3 dictionary results

flip⋅pant

[flip-uhnt]
–adjective
1. frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; characterized by levity: The audience was shocked by his flippant remarks about patriotism.
2. Chiefly Dialect. nimble, limber, or pliant.
3. Archaic. glib; voluble.

Origin:
1595–1605; appar. flip 1 + -ant


flip⋅pan⋅cy, flip⋅pant⋅ness, noun
flip⋅pant⋅ly, adverb


1. saucy, impertinent, impudent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To flippancy
flip·pant   (flĭp'ənt)   
adj.  
  1. Marked by disrespectful levity or casualness; pert.

  2. Archaic Talkative; voluble.


[Probably from flip.]
flip'pan·cy n., flip'pant·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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Word Origin & History

flippant 
"displaying unbecoming levity," 1605, apparently an extended form of flip (v.) (q.v.). Shortened form flip is attested from 1847.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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