bancal
|ban-cal|
/ˈbæŋkəl/
uneven / unsteady
Etymology
'bancal' originates from French, specifically the adjective 'bancal', formed from 'banc' (meaning 'bench') + the adjectival suffix '-al'.
'bancal' existed in Old and Middle French with senses related to benches or supports; from French it was adopted into English with its sense of being uneven or unsteady.
Initially associated with 'bench' or a support (via French 'banc'), the meaning shifted to describe something uneven or not properly supported and thus 'unsteady' or 'rickety'; it later extended figuratively to mean 'unsound' or 'weak'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
physically unstable or wobbly; likely to shake or collapse (e.g., a rickety table or chair).
The old stool looked bancal and unsafe for anyone to sit on.
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Adjective 2
figuratively weak or unreliable; poorly founded or unconvincing (an argument, arrangement, or plan).
His explanation was bancal and failed to convince the committee.
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Last updated: 2026/01/09 15:48