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nugatory

 - 4 dictionary results

nu⋅ga⋅to⋅ry

  [noo-guh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, nyoo-]
Use nugatory in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of no real value; trifling; worthless.
2. of no force or effect; ineffective; futile; vain.
3. not valid.
Origin:
1595–1605; < L nūgātōrius worthless, useless, trifling, equiv. to nūgā(rī) to trifle + -tōrius -tory 1

Synonyms:
1. trivial, insignificant, frivolous. 2. useless, inoperative.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To nugatory
nu·ga·to·ry   (nōō'gə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē, nyōō'-)   
adj.  

  1. Of little or no importance; trifling.

  2. Having no force; invalid. See Synonyms at vain.


[Latin nūgātōrius, from nūgātor, trifler, from nūgārī, to trifle, from nūgae, jokes.]
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

nugatory 
"trifling, of no value," 1603, from L. nugatorius "worthless, futile," from nugator (gen. nugatoris) "jester, trifler," from nugatus, pp. of nugari "to trifle," from nugæ (gen. nugarum) "jokes, jests, trifles," of unknown origin.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: nu·ga·to·ry
Pronunciation: 'nü-g&-"tOr-E, 'nyü-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin nugatorius, from nugari to trifle, from nugae trifles
: being without operative legal effect nugatory>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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