debonair

debonair
debonair c.1200, "mild, gentle, kind courteous," from O.Fr. debonaire, from de bon' aire "of good race," originally used of hawks, hence, "thoroughbred" (opposite of Fr. demalaire). Used in M.E. to mean "docile, courteous," it became obsolete and was revived with an altered sense of "pleasant, affable" (1680s).

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Debonair — can refer to: Debonair (airline), a British airline which ceased operations in October 1999 Debonair (magazine), an Indian men s magazine Debonair Magazine (U.S.), a U.S. men s magazine The Debonaires, a transgressive dirty joke that has been… …   Wikipedia

  • Debonair — Deb o*nair , a. [OE. debonere, OF. de bon aire, debonaire, of good descent or lineage, excellent, debonair, F. d[ e]bonnaire debonair; de of (L. de) + bon good (L. bonus) + aire. See {Air}, and {Bounty}, and cf. {Bonair}.] Characterized by… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • debonair — [adj] charming, elegant affable, buoyant, casual, cheerful, courteous, dashing, detached, happy, jaunty, lighthearted, nonchalant, pleasant, refined, smooth, sprightly, suave, urbane, well bred; concept 401 Ant. awkward, clumsy, inelegant,… …   New thesaurus

  • debonair — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ (of a man) confident, stylish, and charming. ORIGIN from Old French de bon aire of good disposition …   English terms dictionary

  • debonair — [deb΄ə ner′] adj. [ME debonaire < OFr < de bon aire, lit., of good breed or race: see AERIE] 1. Archaic pleasant and friendly in a cheerful way; genial 2. easy and carefree in manner; jaunty; sprightly 3. elegant and gracious; urbane: Also… …   English World dictionary

  • debonair — [[t]de̱bəne͟ə(r)[/t]] ADJ GRADED A man who is debonair is confident, charming, and well dressed. He was a handsome, debonair, death defying racing driver. Syn: suave …   English dictionary

  • debonair — adjective a man who is debonair is fashionable and well dressed and behaves in an attractively confident way: a stylish, debonair young man …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • debonair — adjective Etymology: Middle English debonere, from Anglo French deboneire, from de bon aire of good family or nature Date: 13th century 1. archaic gentle, courteous 2. a. suave, urbane < a debonair p …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • debonair — debonairly, adv. debonairness, n. /deb euh nair /, adj. 1. courteous, gracious, and having a sophisticated charm: a debonair gentleman. 2. jaunty; carefree; sprightly. Also, debonaire, debonnaire. [1175 1225; ME debone(i)re < AF; OF debonaire,… …   Universalium

  • debonair — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) adj. courteous; gay, affable. See cheerfulness. II (Roget s IV) modif. 1. [Jaunty] Syn. buoyant, carefree, easy; see jaunty , nonchalant . 2. [Urbane] Syn. suave, smooth, elegant, dapper; see pleasant 1 …   English dictionary for students

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