Arrant

/ˈæɹ(ə)nt/ · adjective

Meaning

(chiefly with a negative connotation, dated) Complete; downright; utter..

Definitions by Sense

1. (chiefly with a negative connotation, dated) Complete; downright; utter.
2. (by extension, dated) Very bad; despicable.
3. Obsolete form of errant (“roving around; wandering”).

Example Sentences

an arrant knave    arrant nonsense

And if any manner of perſon attempted to moue the King to infringe any parte of thys ordynaunce, and that being knowne, for the firſt time, he ſhould be depriued of his goodes and poſſeſſions, and for the ſecond time, to be drawen thorough the Citie, and so put to execution as an arrant traytor.

To a Nunnery goe, vve are arrant knaues all, / Beleeue none of vs, to a Nunnery goe.

She bags of Gold out of her boſome drevv, / VVhich ſhe to Sots and arrant Ideots threvv.

He cals her on a ſudden, all to naught; ſhe is a ſtrumpet, a light huswife, a bitch, an arrant whore.

There be, vvho knovvs not that there be of Proteſtants and profeſſors vvho live and dye in as arrant an implicit faith, as any lay Papiſt of Loretto.

VVherefore vvhoſoever interprets the Nevv Teſtament ſo as to ſhuffle off the aſſurance of Revvard and Puniſhment after the death of the Body, is either an arrant Infidel or horrid Blaſphemer.

[…] I both ſavv and diligently examin'd that piece (Plank, stone, or both ſhall I name it) of Lignum foſſile [fossilized wood] taken out of a certain Quarry thereof at Aqua Sparta not far from Rome, […] [H]e that ſhall behold its grain, ſo exquisitely undulated, and varied, together vvith its colour, manner of hevving, chips, and other moſt perfect reſemblances, vvill never ſcruple to pronounce it arrant vvood.

Synonyms for arrant

Antonyms for arrant

Related Words

Word Forms

• more arrant
• arranter
• most arrant
• arrantest
• errant

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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