Part 4617

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Productive of no advantage or good effect; vain; idle; useless; unprofitable; <as>as, a <ex>fruitless</ex> attempt; a <ex>fruitless</ex> controversy.</as></def>

<blockquote>They in mutual accusation spent The <b>fruitless</b> hours. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- Useless; barren; unprofitable; abortive; ineffectual; vain; idle; profitless. See <er>Useless</er>.</syn>

-- <wordforms><wf>Fruit"less*ly</wf>, <tt>adv.</tt> -- <wf>Fruit"lness*ness</wf>, <tt>n.</tt></wordforms>

<h1>Fruit'y</h1> <Xpage=600>

<hw>Fruit'y</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Having the odor, taste, or appearance of fruit; also, fruitful.</def>

<i>Dickens.</i>

<h1>Frumentaceous</h1> <Xpage=600>

<hw>Fru"men*ta"ceous</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>frumentaceus</ets>, fr. <ets>frumentum</ets> corn or grain, from the root of <ets>frux</ets> fruit: cf. F. <ets>frumentac\'82</ets>. See <er>Frugal</er>.]</ety> <def>Made of, or resembling, wheat or other grain.</def>

<h1>Frumentarious</h1> <Xpage=600>

<hw>Fru`men*ta"ri*ous</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. frumentarius.]</ety> <def>Of or pertaining to wheat or grain.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<i>Coles.</i>

<h1>Frumentation</h1> <Xpage=600>

<hw>Fru`men*ta"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>frumentatio</ets>.]</ety> <fld>(Rom. Antiq.)</fld> <def>A largess of grain bestowed upon the people, to quiet them when uneasy.</def>

<h1>Frumenty</h1> <Xpage=600>

<hw>Fru"men*ty</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[OF. <ets>froment\'82e</ets>, fr. L. <ets>frumentum</ets>. See <er>Frumentaceous</er>.]</ety> <def>Food made of hulled wheat boiled in milk, with sugar, plums, etc.</def> <altsp>[Written also <asp>furmenty</asp> and <asp>furmity</asp>.]</altsp>

<i>Halliwell.</i>

<h1>Frump</h1> <Xpage=600>

<hw>Frump</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <ety>[Cf. Prov. E. <ets>frumple</ets> to wrinkle, ruffle, D. <ets>frommelen</ets>.]</ety> <def>To insult; to flout; to mock; to snub.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Beau. & Fl.</i>

<h1>Frump</h1> <Xpage=600>

<hw>Frump</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A contemptuous speech or piece of conduct; a gibe or flout.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Beau. & Fl.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A cross, old-fashioned person; esp., an old woman; a gossip.</def> <mark>[Colloq.]</mark>

<i>Halliwell.</i>

<h1>Frumper</h1> <Xpage=600>

<hw>Frump"er</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>A mocker.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Cotgrave.</i>