subfusc
/ˈsʌbfʌsk
/ /sʌbˈfʌsk /adjective literary
Dull; gloomy: the light was subfusc and aqueous...
- But while Bill Alexander's new production has a fine, sombre, subfusc dignity, there were times when I guiltily hungered for a little more playful malevolence.
- Houses hunched like weary giants, wrapped in subfusc cloaks of night.
- One remembers how audibly and visibly subfusc was the almost apologetic chorus in their otherwise excellent opera, Don Carlo.
noun [mass noun] British
The dark formal clothing worn for examinations and formal occasions at some universities.Well I guess I ought to get out of my subfusc, wipe the smudged makeup off my face and find some food....
- Our readers should know he cut a fine figure in subfusc on his way to his viva.
- One history finalist said, ‘We have to put up with University's traditions, wearing subfusc and the like, but they're not prepared to put up with ours.’
Origin
Early 18th century: from Latin subfuscus, from sub- 'somewhat' + fuscus 'dark brown'.
- before you can say knife
- before–after
- be for it
- be for (or all for) the best
- be for the high jump
- befoul
- be fresh out of
- befriend
- be frightened of one's shadow
- be frightened (or scared) out of one's wits
- befuddle
- befuddlement
- be full bottle on
- be full of it
- be full of the joys of spring
- befurred
- beg
- begad
- began
- begat
- begemmed
- beget
- be/get carried away
- be/get liquored up
- begetter