brimborion means A useless or worthless object. It carries an Arena rating of 1733, earned across 6 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, brimborion ranks #260 of 14,448 for Funniest Words, #277 of 14,451 for Most Whimsical Words, #294 of 14,431 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound, #421 of 14,456 for The Improbable.
Why “brimborion” is a great word
A useless or worthless object. From French brimborion, from Middle French borbotorion, breborion, breborium, brimborion, brinborion, from Ecclesiastical Latin breviārium ("breviary, abridgment") with influence from Middle French bribe ("scrap, bit") and brimbe ("trifle"). Unlike a "trinket," which may hold sentimental charm, or a "bauble," which at least offers gaudy distraction, a brimborion is defined by its absolute vacancy of purpose. It is the broken gadget kept in a drawer for no reason, the garish souvenir that never escapes its plastic wrapper, the unread pamphlet left to bleach on a park bench—each a quiet, accumulating proof that not everything need exist.
Etymology
From French brimborion, from Middle French borbotorion, breborion, breborium, brimborion, brinborion, from Ecclesiastical Latin breviārium with influence from Middle French bribe, brimbe. Doublet of breviary and brevier.
noun
- A useless or worthless object.
Words closest in meaning
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