nary
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 2:54 am
Sandy said in the midst of a heated argument, "Please note I've cast nary a single aspersion"nar·y (nâr)
adj.
Not one: "Frequently, measures of major import . . . glide through these chambers with nary a whisper of debate" George B. Merry.
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[Alteration of ne'er a.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words AntonymsAdj. 1. nary - (used with singular count nouns) colloquial for `not a' or `not one' or `never a'; "heard nary a sound"
no - quantifier; used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns for indicating a complete or almost complete lack or zero quantity of; "we have no bananas"; "no eggs left and no money to buy any"; "have you no decency?"; "did it with no help"; "I'll get you there in no time"
I like Aspersion too:
both quotes came from www.freedictionary.comas·per·sion (-spûrzhn, -shn)
n.
1.
a. An unfavorable or damaging remark; slander: Don't cast aspersions on my honesty.
b. The act of defaming or slandering.
2. A sprinkling, especially with holy water.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words AntonymsNoun 1. aspersion - a disparaging remark; "in the 19th century any reference to female sexuality was considered a vile aspersion"; "it is difficult for a woman to understand a man's sensitivity to any slur on his virility"
slur
derogation, disparagement, depreciation - a communication that belittles somebody or something
ethnic slur - a slur on someone's race or language
picaninny, piccaninny, pickaninny - (offensive) a Black child
2. aspersion - an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
calumny, defamation, denigration, slander
attack - strong criticism; "he published an unexpected attack on my work"
3. aspersion - the act of sprinkling water in baptism (rare)
sprinkling
baptism - a Christian sacrament signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth; "most churches baptize infants but some insist on adult baptism"
Kt
