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'.
- alternatim
- alternating current
- alternating gradient
- alternating group
- alternatingly
- alternating series
- alternation
- alternation of generations
- alternativa
- alternative
- alternative birth
- alternative birthing
- alternative comedian
- alternative comedy
- alternative country
- alternative dispute resolution
- alternative energy
- alternative fuel
- alternative fuel vehicle
- alternative lifestyle
- alternatively
- alternative medicine
- alternative minimum tax
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- alternative practitioner