duncical, a. and adv. Now rare.
(ˈdʌnsɪkəl)
Also dunsical.
[f. dunce n. + -ic + -al1.]
A. adj.
† 1. Of or pertaining to the Scotists or to the Scholastic system. Obs.
| 1546 Coverdale tr. Calvin on Sacrament Pref. A ij, Romisshe idolatrers and diligent studentes of duncicall dregges. 1588 Fraunce Lawiers Log. i. i. 3 b, Miserable Sorbonists and dunsicall Quidditaries. 1625 Gonsalvio's Sp. Inquis. 140 All that Sophisticall and Dunsicall diuinitie. |
2. Of or pertaining to a dunce; dull-witted, stupid, blockheaded.
| 1588 J. Harvey Disc. Probl. 65 Botched vp..after a rude, and dunsicall sort. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. viii. ii. §26 This neck-question..the most dull and duncicall Commissioner was able to aske. 1708 Motteux Rabelais iv. liii, Students sottish and duncical. 1748 Richardson Clarissa Wks. 1883 VIII. 303, I have no patience with the foolish duncical dog. 1841 Tait's Mag. VIII. 7 Mathematics might be flogged into them..as readily as into our own dunsical natures. |
B. as adv. for duncically.
| 1624 Rand Epil. to Skelton's El. Rummyng, King Henry the Eight Had a good conceit Of my merry vaine, Though duncicall plaine. |
Hence † dunciˈcality.
| 1588 Fraunce Lawiers Log. Ded. ¶iij, If this be all the Dunsicalitie you talke of, you are farre more nyce then any Universitie man of mine acquaintance. |