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PRONUNCIATION: [duhns]

ORIGIN: Early 16th century; English

ETYMOLOGY: originally an epithet for a follower of John Duns Scotus, whose followers were ridiculed by 16th-century humanists and reformers as enemies of learning

DEFINITION:
1. (noun) a dull-witted, stupid, or ignorant person; dolt

Synonym(s): fool, idiot, simpleton, halfwit, moron, imbecile, dummy

Antonym(s): genius

EXAMPLE: The foolish guy was often described as a dunce.