vague

vague
adjective (vaguer; vaguest) Etymology: Middle French, from Latin vagus, literally, wandering Date: 1548 1. a. not clearly expressed ; stated in indefinite terms <
vague accusations
>
b. not having a precise meaning <
a vague term of abuse
>
2. a. not clearly defined, grasped, or understood ; indistinct <
only a vague notion of what's needed
>
; also slight <
a vague hint of a thickening waistline
>
<
hasn't the vaguest idea
>
b. not clearly felt or sensed ; somewhat subconscious <
a vague longing
>
3. not thinking or expressing one's thoughts clearly or precisely <
vague about dates and places
>
4. lacking expression ; vacant <
vague eyes
>
<
a vague stare
>
5. not sharply outlined ; hazy <
met by vague figures with shaded torchlights — Earle Birney
>
Synonyms: see obscurevaguely adverbvagueness noun

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • vague — 1. (va gh ) s. f. 1°   Masse d eau de la mer, d une rivière ou d un lac, qui est agitée et soulevée par les vents, ou par une autre impulsion. •   Tel qu à vagues épandues Marche un fleuve impérieux, MALH. II, 2. •   Comme par une vague une vague …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • vague — [ veıg ] adjective ** 1. ) not clearly or fully explained: Some aspects of the law were somewhat vague and ill defined. Witnesses gave only a vague description of the driver. vague promises: The politicians made vague promises about independence …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Vague — (v[=a]g), a. [Compar. {Vaguer} (v[=a]g [ e]r); superl. {Vaguest}.] [F. vague, or L. vagus. See {Vague}, v. i.] [1913 Webster] 1. Wandering; vagrant; vagabond. [Archaic] To set upon the vague villains. Hayward. [1913 Webster] She danced along with …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • vague — / vāg/ adj: characterized by such a lack of precision that a person of ordinary intelligence would have to guess if particular conduct is being proscribed: characterized by a failure to describe forbidden conduct in terms sufficient to provide… …   Law dictionary

  • vague´ly — vague «vayg», adjective, va|guer, va|guest. 1. not definitely or precisely expressed: »His vague statement confused them. He gave a vague assent. SYNONYM(S): ambiguous. See syn. under obscure. (Cf. ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • vague — S3 [veıg] adj [Date: 1500 1600; : French; Origin: Latin vagus wandering, vague ] 1.) unclear because someone does not give enough detailed information or does not say exactly what they mean ▪ The governor gave only a vague outline of his tax plan …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • vague — VAGUE. Eau de la mer, d une riviere, d un lac &c. agitée & eslevée au dessus de sa superficie. Il fait de grandes vagues. les vagues les ont pensé abismer. il fut englouti des vagues. rompre la vague. aller au devant de la vague. Vague. adj. de… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Vague — Vague, n. [Cf. F. vague.] An indefinite expanse. [R.] [1913 Webster] The gray vague of unsympathizing sea. Lowell. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Vague — Vague, v. i. [F. vaguer, L. vagari, fr. vagus roaming.] To wander; to roam; to stray. [Obs.] [The soul] doth vague and wander. Holland. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • vague — (adj.) 1540s, from M.Fr. vague, from L. vagus wandering, rambling, vacillating, vague, of unknown origin. Related: Vagueness …   Etymology dictionary

  • vague ! — interj. soit ! expr. : E vague sus lo nas ! Et vlan dans le nez ! Vague encara qu ères ganarra… Passe encore que tu étais saoul… …   Diccionari Personau e Evolutiu

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