the undue use of exaggeration or display; the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse including figures of speech
fortification
uncertainty or fluctuation caused by an inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite, conflicting things
uncertainty or fluctuation caused by an inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite, conflicting things
1565, "zealous, eager to serve," from L. officiosus "dutiful," from officium "duty, service" (see office). Sense of "meddlesome, doing more than is asked or required" had emerged by 1600 (in officiously). An officious lie (1577) is one told to do good to another person (from