Today's Words: Piffle, Banish and Levity

Piffle

(pif-uhl) Noun

nonsense, as trivial or senseless talk

More about Piffle

First recorded in 1840–50.

Perhaps akin to puff.

Examples of Piffle

Stop talking such piffle and focus on the facts!

His argument was full of piffle — no one took it seriously.

Banish

(ban-ish) Verb

to expel from a country or place by authoritative decree

More about Banish

First recorded between 1275–1325.

From Middle English banisshen, from Anglo-French, Old French baniss-, (long stem of banir), from unrecorded Frankish bannjan, “to proclaim,” akin to ban1.

Examples of Banish

The council voted to banish the rebel leader to a remote island as punishment.

The dictator threatened to banish all citizens who spoke out against his regime.

Levity

(lev-i-tee) Noun

lack of appropriate seriousness or earnestness

More about Levity

First used between 1555–65.

From the Latin levitās, “lightness, frivolity,” is equivalent to levi(s).

Examples of Levity

The professor frowned upon any levity in the classroom when discussing serious topics.

During the tense meeting, his joke brought a moment of levity that eased the atmosphere.

Inputs Courtesy: Dictionary.com

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