balductum

comparative more balductum · superlative most balductum

1. obsoletenonsensical

   Richard Stanyhurst, whose own verse in his translations of Virgil is ridiculed by Thomas Nashe, scoffs at the "drafty poetry" and "rude rhyming and balductum ballads" of the time so objectionable to all the literati.

   1914, Guy Andrew Thompson, Elizabethan criticism of poetry, George Banta Publishing Company, page 4

   1 more example

   And he suggests that "we beginners" (this from the author of these truly "barbarous and balductum" antics to the author of the Faerie Queene is distinctly precious) have the advantage, like Homer and Ennius, of setting examples.

   1911, George Saintsbury, A history of English criticism: being the English chapters of A history of criticism and literary taste in Europe, W. Blackwood, page 50

plural balductums

1. countableuncountablea posset

   And yet, just for once, it would be an experience to drink a "balductum": "A posset composed of hot milk curdled with ale or wine.

   1927, Herbert Leslie Stewart, The Dalhousie review, volume 7, page 66

2. countableobsoleteuncountablesenseless talk or writing; balderdash.

   […] whose wild and madbrain humour nothing fitteth so just, as the stalest dudgen or absurdest balductum, that they or their mates can invent in odd and awk speeches […]

   1815 Sir Egerton Brydges, Archaica: Harvey's Four letters, and sonnets, touching Robert Greene; Pierce's supererogation; [and] New letter of notable contents. Brathwaite's Essays upon the five senses, From the private press of Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, printed by T. Davison, p142

   Synonyms: drivel, balderdash, piffle, poppycock, rubbish, twaddle