subfusc
/ˈsʌbfʌsk
/ /sʌbˈfʌsk /adjective literary
Dull; gloomy: the light was subfusc and aqueous...
- But while Bill Alexander's new production has a fine, sombre, subfusc dignity, there were times when I guiltily hungered for a little more playful malevolence.
- Houses hunched like weary giants, wrapped in subfusc cloaks of night.
- One remembers how audibly and visibly subfusc was the almost apologetic chorus in their otherwise excellent opera, Don Carlo.
noun [mass noun] British
The dark formal clothing worn for examinations and formal occasions at some universities.Well I guess I ought to get out of my subfusc, wipe the smudged makeup off my face and find some food....
- Our readers should know he cut a fine figure in subfusc on his way to his viva.
- One history finalist said, ‘We have to put up with University's traditions, wearing subfusc and the like, but they're not prepared to put up with ours.’
Origin
Early 18th century: from Latin subfuscus, from sub- 'somewhat' + fuscus 'dark brown'.
- Waterhouse, Alfred
- Waterhouse–Friderichsen syndrome
- water hyacinth
- water hyssop
- water ice
- water icing
- waterily
- wateriness
- watering bridle
- watering call
- watering can
- watering cap
- watering cart
- watering hole
- watering-house
- watering pan
- watering party
- watering place
- watering pot
- watering slip
- watering snaffle
- watering stone
- water injection
- water-insoluble
- water-intoxicated