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Definition of platitudes - 2 dictionary results

plat⋅i⋅tude

  [plat-i-tood, -tyood]
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–noun
1. a flat, dull, or trite remark, esp. one uttered as if it were fresh or profound.
2. the quality or state of being flat, dull, or trite: the platitude of most political oratory.
Origin:
1805–15; < F: lit., flatness, equiv. to plat flat (see plate 1 ) + -itude, as in F latitude, altitude, magnitude, etc.

Synonyms:
1. cliché, truism.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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plat·i·tude   (plāt'ĭ-tōōd', -tyōōd')   
n.  
  1. A trite or banal remark or statement, especially one expressed as if it were original or significant. See Synonyms at cliché.
  2. Lack of originality; triteness.

[French, from plat, flat, from Old French; see plate.]
plat'i·tu'di·nous (-tōōd'n-əs, -tyōōd'-), plat'i·tu'di·nal (-tōōd'n-əl, -tyōōd'-) adj., plat'i·tu'di·nous·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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