blunt English · revision 15004

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|attested=c. 1200}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /blʌnt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|blunt]], of uncertain origin.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) It may be Scandinavian, related to [[non|blunda|t=to shut the eyes, doze]] (see [[blind]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) or to [[ang|blinnan|t=to stop, cease]].^(Etymonline) Barnhart doubts a link with [[blunder]], since that sense is not found until 1440.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Dull, obtuse, of persons: probably about 1200, in The Ormulum.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of tools or weapons, not sharp, it is from 1398, and the surname Blundspure, Bluntspur, is from about 1285.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) Rude or unrefined is from 1477, and abrupt of speech or manner from 1590.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The verb, to dull the edge, is from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) As a noun, a blunt sword is from the 1610s and a short thick needle from 1833;^(Etymonline) as street slang a blunt is a cigar refilled with marijuana, by about 1993, from the Phillies Blunt brand.^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023) In East Anglia, Wiltshire and Somerset dialect a blunt was a storm of snow or rain.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – dull, obtuse.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1285 – Bluntspur (surname).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1398 – not sharp.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1590 – abrupt in speech.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1610s – a blunt sword (noun).^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1993 – a blunt (slang).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Having a dull edge or point; not sharp: ''a blunt instrument''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Frank and direct, often disconcertingly; [[outspoken]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Slow to understand; dull.^(AHD)

+ # Lacking feeling; insensitive.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make or become less sharp.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To make less effective; to weaken.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(slang)'' A cigar hollowed out and filled with [[cannabis]].^(Collins 2023)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bluntly]]

+ * [[bluntness]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[blunder]]

+ * [[blind]]

+ * [[blunderbuss]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}