ignoramuses
|ig-no-ra-mu-ses|
/ˌɪɡnəˈreɪməsɪz/
(ignoramus)
ignorant person
Etymology
'ignoramus' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ignoramus', where 'ignorare' meant 'to be ignorant' or 'not to know'.
'ignoramus' changed from the Latin first-person-plural verb 'ignoramus' (meaning 'we do not know') used in legal contexts, and eventually became the modern English noun 'ignoramus' meaning 'an ignorant person'.
Initially, it meant 'we do not know' (a grand-jury expression), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an ignorant or stupid person'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'ignoramus'.
The report referred to several ignoramuses in the council who ignored the evidence.
Noun 2
a person who is ignorant, especially someone regarded as being uninformed or stupid; (derogatory) 'an ignorant person'.
Stop acting like ignoramuses and read the instructions before you start.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 3
(historical, legal) plural of the use of 'ignoramus' as a grand-jury return meaning 'we do not know' or that there is insufficient evidence to indict.
In some 16th-century records, grand juries returned ignoramuses rather than indictments.
Last updated: 2025/12/25 15:29