Nearby Words

simples

[sim-puhl] Origin

sim·ple

[sim-puhl] adjective, -pler, -plest, noun
adjective
1.
easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.: a simple matter; simple tools.
2.
not elaborate or artificial; plain: a simple style.
3.
not ornate or luxurious; unadorned: a simple gown.
4.
unaffected; unassuming; modest: a simple manner.
5.
not complicated: a simple design.
EXPAND
6.
not complex or compound; single.
7.
occurring or considered alone; mere; bare: the simple truth; a simple fact.
8.
free of deceit or guile; sincere; unconditional: a frank, simple answer.
9.
common or ordinary: a simple soldier.
10.
not grand or sophisticated; unpretentious: a simple way of life.
11.
humble or lowly: simple folk.
12.
inconsequential or rudimentary.
13.
unlearned; ignorant.
14.
lacking mental acuteness or sense: a simple way of thinking.
15.
unsophisticated; naive; credulous.
17.
Chemistry.
a.
composed of only one substance or element: a simple substance.
b.
not mixed.
18.
Botany. not divided into parts: a simple leaf; a simple stem.
19.
Zoology. not compound: a simple ascidian.
20.
Music. uncompounded or without overtones; single: simple tone.
21.
Grammar. having only the head without modifying elements included: The simple subject of “The dappled pony gazed over the fence” is “pony.” Compare complete (def. 5).
22.
(of a verb tense) consisting of a main verb with no auxiliaries, as takes (simple present) or stood (simple past) (opposed to compound).
23.
Mathematics. linear (def. 7).
24.
Optics. (of a lens) having two optical surfaces only.
COLLAPSE
noun
25.
an ignorant, foolish, or gullible person.
26.
something simple, unmixed, or uncompounded.
27.
simples, Textiles. cords for controlling the warp threads in forming the shed on draw-looms.
28.
a person of humble origins; commoner.
29.
an herb or other plant used for medicinal purposes: country simples.

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Simples is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.

Origin:
1175–1225; (adj.) Middle English < Old French < Late Latin simplus simple, Latin (in simpla pecunia simple fee or sum), equivalent to sim- one (see simplex) + -plus, as in duplus duple, double (see -fold); cognate with Greek háplos (see haplo-); (noun) Middle English: commoner, derivative of the adj.

sim·ple·ness, noun
o·ver·sim·ple, adjective
o·ver·sim·ple·ness, noun
o·ver·sim·p·ly, adverb
sub·sim·ple, adjective
EXPAND
ul·tra·sim·ple, adjective
un·sim·ple, adjective
un·sim·ple·ness, noun
un·sim·p·ly, adverb
COLLAPSE

simple, simplified, simplistic.


1. clear, intelligible, understandable, unmistakable, lucid. 2. natural, unembellished, neat. 8. artless, guileless, ingenuous. 10. See homely. 12. trifling, trivial, nonessential, unnecessary. 13. untutored, stupid.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To simples
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

simple
early 13c., "humble, ignorant," from O.Fr. simple, from L. simplus "single," variant of simplex (see simplex). Sense evolved to "lowly, common" (late 13c.), then "mere, pure" (c.1300). As opposite of composite it dates from 1425; as opposite of complicated it dates from
EXPAND
c.1555. Disparaging sense (mid-14c.) is from notion of "devoid of duplicity." Simply (adv.) in purely intensive sense is attested from 1590.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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