Antics


Usually, antics.

a playful trick or prank; caper.
a grotesque, fantastic, or ludicrous gesture, act, or posture.

Archaic.

an actor in a grotesque or ridiculous presentation.
a buffoon; clown.

Obsolete.

a grotesque theatrical presentation; ridiculous interlude.
a grotesque or fantastic sculptured figure, as a gargoyle.

ludicrous; funny.
fantastic; odd; grotesque:
an antic disposition.
Obsolete. to perform antics; caper.
Contemporary Examples

This time he gave us not the wonky professor but the academic star who has had enough with the antics of his rowdy class.
Obama Frees His Mojo Tina Brown September 9, 2009

But this occurred during an era that was riddled with bizarre Gingrich antics.
Kirsten Powers: Newt Gingrich Is in Love With Himself Kirsten Powers December 6, 2011

“Don’t overestimate me,” screams one director, driven to his breaking point by Wootton’s antics.
Brit Wits Bash America Sean Macaulay February 16, 2010

They even released a (pretty damn weak) hip-hop song on SoundCloud recounting their antics.
The Attack on the Hidden Internet Marc Rogers December 28, 2014

But they agreed to speak to The Daily Beast about their antics.
Russian Artists Mock Putin Anna Nemtsova August 3, 2011

Historical Examples

I did not even know it was you at the stern, nor did I realize that my antics would result in pushing any one overboard.
Dave Darrin’s Second Year at Annapolis H. Irving Hancock

All that he had done was like the antics of a colt compared with what followed.
The Heart of Thunder Mountain Edfrid A. Bingham

On the front seat is a peasant, laughing at the antics of the clown.
The American Mind Bliss Perry

“I ought to beg your pardon for these antics,” he said, adjusting his hat.
Victory Joseph Conrad

All this was aiding Johnny, though it is to be doubted whether the otters knew the value of their antics.
The Shadow Passes Roy J. Snell

plural noun
absurd or grotesque acts or postures
noun
(archaic) an actor in a ludicrous or grotesque part; clown; buffoon
adjective
(archaic) fantastic; grotesque
n.

“ludicrous behavior,” 1520s; see antic.
n.

1520s, “grotesque or comical gesture,” from Italian antico “antique,” from Latin antiquus “old” (see antique). Originally (like grotesque) a 16c. Italian word referring to the strange and fantastic representations on ancient murals unearthed around Rome (especially originally the Baths of Titus, rediscovered 16c.); later extended to “any bizarre thing or behavior,” in which sense it first arrived in English. As an adjective in English from 1580s, “grotesque, bizarre.”

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