deb·o·nair adjective
1archaic : gentle, courteous
2a : suave, urbane <a debonair performer> b : lighthearted, nonchalant
— deb·o·nair·ly adverb
— deb·o·nair·ness noun
Examples of DEBONAIR
a debonair man in a suit and top hat
Their history, past and recent, may be scribbled with viciousness and deprivation, but the debonair politeness, the good humor, of the Irish I met, who are still among the poorest people in the West, gave me to believe that calamity breeds character. —G. Y. Dryansky, Condé Nast Traveler, November 1994
Origin of DEBONAIR
Middle English debonere, from Anglo-French deboneire, from de bon aire of good family or nature
First Known Use: 13th century
SRC: Merriam Webster website
My father and I always pictured Cary Grant as exemplifying debonair. And then again, William Powell, especially in the Thin Man series, is even more so. Although, I would not call any of the characters in Dashiell Hammett’s book “debonair” as written.
DEBONAIR
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Re: DEBONAIR
Leslie Charteris's Saint is the epitome of debonair as is James Bond and, perhaps, Bertie Wooster.
A popular dance band in our area in my high school days styled themselves The Debonairres. My trumpeter son got to play with their remnants during the last few years of their reunion.
A popular dance band in our area in my high school days styled themselves The Debonairres. My trumpeter son got to play with their remnants during the last few years of their reunion.
pl
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Re: DEBONAIR
Saki's recurring short story hero, Clovis Sangrail, is on the same order as Bertie Wooster, except more so. Although I love them both dearly, to me they don't quite deserve the debonair appellation. The word indolent comes to mind.
One can choose from suave, debonair, sophisticated, smooth operator, to downright con-artist.
Leslie Charteris's Saint may be a little too dignified to be debonair, also a little too corpulent and sedentary. If I remember right, he does very little, making Archie do all the legwork.
There was once a hair dressing that guaranteed debonairity to its users.
One can choose from suave, debonair, sophisticated, smooth operator, to downright con-artist.
Leslie Charteris's Saint may be a little too dignified to be debonair, also a little too corpulent and sedentary. If I remember right, he does very little, making Archie do all the legwork.
There was once a hair dressing that guaranteed debonairity to its users.
It is dark at night, but the Sun will come up and then we can see.
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Re: DEBONAIR
You are confusing the Saint with Nero Wolf, hard to do. The Saint was a rakish "Robin Hood of modern crime," who robbed the crooked and added to his own account.
pl
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Re: DEBONAIR
I was confused and you are right, Perry. How could I have made such a mistake? Nero Wolf books are ripping good tales, orchids and all. The Saint - for me, not so much.
It is dark at night, but the Sun will come up and then we can see.
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