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simple
sim·ple / ˈsimpəl/ • adj. (-pler , -plest ) 1. easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty: a simple solution camcorders are now so simple to operate. ∎ plain, basic, or uncomplicated in form, nature, or design; without much decoration or ornamentation: a simple white blouse the house is furnished in a simple country style. ∎ used to emphasize the fundamental and straightforward nature of something: the simple truth. 2. composed of a single element; not compound. ∎ Math. denoting a group that has no proper normal subgroup. ∎ Bot. (of a leaf or stem) not divided or branched. ∎ (of a lens, microscope, etc.) consisting of a single lens or component. ∎ (in English grammar) denoting a tense formed without an auxiliary, e.g., sang as opposed to was singing. ∎ (of interest) payable on the sum loaned only. Compare with compound1 . 3. of or characteristic of low rank or status; humble and unpretentious: a simple Buddhist monk. 4. of low or abnormally low intelligence. • n. chiefly hist. a medicinal herb, or a medicine made from one: the gatherers of simples. DERIVATIVES: sim·ple·ness n. |
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"simple." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "simple." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-simple.html "simple." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-simple.html |
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simple
simple
A. free from duplicity; free from pride XIII; B. of humble condition; ordinary, homely XIII; deficient in knowledge XIV; silly XVII; C. with nothing added XIV; not complex XV; D. sb. pl. persons of humble status; unlettered people XIV; sg. (gram.) simplex; (arch.) uncompounded substance, herb for use as such XVI. — (O)F. — L. simplus, corr. to Gr. haplǒos, f. IE. *sm- *sem- *som- (cf. SAME) + *pl-, as in duplus DOUBLE, triplus TRIPLE, etc. Hence simply XIII. So simplex consisting of a single part XVI; sb. (gram.) uncompounded word XIX. — L., with second el. as in duplex, multiplex, -plic- (see PLY1). simplicity XIV. — (O)F. or L., f. simplex, -plic- simplify XVII. — F. medL. simplification XVII. |
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T. F. HOAD. "simple." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "simple." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-simple.html T. F. HOAD. "simple." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-simple.html |
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Simple
Simple, name given to the titular character, properly Jesse B. Semple, in several works by Langston Hughes. A black resident of Harlem, Simple is a seemingly naïve or stupid man but actually smart in the vein of the shrewd cracker‐barrel homespun figure. The satirical sketches in which he surveys contemporary issues were published in newspapers and are collected in Simple Speaks His Mind (1950), Simple Takes a Wife (1953), Simple Stakes a Claim (1957), The Best of Simple (1961), and Simple's Uncle Sam (1965). Simply Heavenly (1963) is a musical play by Hughes adapting some of these stories.
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James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Simple." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Simple." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-Simple.html James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Simple." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-Simple.html |
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Simple
SIMPLEUnmixed; not aggravated or compounded. A simple assault, for example, is one that is not accompanied by any circumstances of aggravation, such as assault with a deadly weapon. Simple interest is a fixed amount paid in exchange for a sum of money lent. The interest generated on the amount borrowed does not itself earn interest, unlike interest earned where parties agree to compound interest. |
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"Simple." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Simple." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437704047.html "Simple." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437704047.html |
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "simple." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "simple." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-simple.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "simple." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-simple.html |
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simple
simple
•apple, chapel, chappal, Chappell, dapple, grapple, scrapple
•scalpel
•ample, trample
•pineapple
•carpal, carpel
•example, sample
•sepal
•stemple, temple
•maple, papal, staple
•peepul, people, steeple
•tradespeople • sportspeople
•townspeople • workpeople
•cripple, fipple, nipple, ripple, stipple, tipple, triple
•dimple, pimple, simple, wimple
•Oedipal • maniple • manciple
•municipal
•principal, principle
•participle • multiple
•archetypal, disciple, typal
•prototypal
•hopple, popple, stopple, topple
•gospel
•Constantinople, copal, nopal, opal, Opel
•duple, pupal, pupil, scruple
•quadruple • septuple • sextuple
•quintuple • octuple
•couple, supple
•crumple, rumple, scrumple
•syncopal • episcopal • purple
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"simple." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "simple." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-simple.html "simple." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-simple.html |
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