I think these definitions give a good sense of the flavor of
"lurid" -- although, frankly, using "lurid" for "ghastly
pale" is pretty uncommon
(sounds like a usage that Lovecraft might indulge).
horrible in fierceness or savagery; "lurid crimes"; "a
lurid life" glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by
sensationalism; "lurid details of the accident" shining with
an unnatural red glow as of fire seen through smoke; "a lurid
sunset"; "lurid flames" ghastly pale; "moonlight gave the
statue a lurid luminence"
Mark On 6/10/08, foxbrick <
foxbrick@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> --- In
rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
<rara-avis-l%40yahoogroups.com>,
> "jacquesdebierue"
> <jacquesdebierue@...> wrote:
> >
> > My learned colleague Foxbrick [aka crotchedy
Todd Mason] perplexed me
> with his question about
> > "lurid". I looked it up and perhaps this is
where the confusion comes
> > from: it means both "pale" and "vivid" (the
sense in which I used it).
> > I wasn't aware that the word had two opposite
meanings. I hope I
> > haven't ruined the word for those who need to
use it in reviews and
> > such. For me, its allure has paled.
>
> And there's a implication of cheap shock, which
Theodore Sturgeon could
> engage in, but usually didn't...too much the artist.
Very expensive
> shocks, frequently, indeed.
>
> Todd Mason
>
>
>
-- Mark R. Harris 2122 W. Russet Court #8 Appleton WI 54914 (920) 470-9855 brokerharris@gmail.com
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