runcible
A nonce word used for humorous effect.
Adjective
- A nonce word used for humorous effect.
- They dined on mince and slices of quince, / Which they ate with a runcible spoon, / And hand in hand on the edge of the sand / They danced by the light of the moon,— / The moon, / They danced by the light of the moon. -...
- The Dolomphious Duck, / who caught Spotted Frogs for her dinner / with a Runcible Spoon. […] The Rural Runcible Raven, / who wore a White Wig and flew away / with the Carpet Broom. - 1872, Edward Lear, “Twenty-six...
- [chapter XI (Miss Perry is the Soul of Discretion), page 157] "I think the hat must flop a little too much," said Miss Perry, "in places. It makes people turn round to stare at it." / "Of course it does, you foolish...
Origin
A nonce word coined by the English artist and poet Edward Lear (1812–1888) in his poem The Owl and the Pussy-cat (published 1870). It has been suggested that the word was modelled after rounceval, rouncival (“a large pea, the marrowfat”) (late 16th c.).