Idiocies

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Actions or behaviors that are considered foolish or nonsensical
2. Instances of extreme irrationality or lack of sense
3. Varied manifestations of stupidity, often resulting in regrettable consequences

Etymology: "Idiocies" is simply the plural of "idiocy," so the story belongs to the base word. "Idiocy" came into English from French "idiotie," which in turn came from Old French "idiot." That Old French word goes back to Greek "idiōtēs," meaning a private person, someone who did not hold public office or take part in civic affairs, and by extension an ordinary or untrained person. The sense of stupidity was a later development that grew out of that idea of being unlearned or outside public life. English once had other forms of the same idea. "Idiotacy" and "idiotry" were earlier versions that were eventually replaced by "idiocy," which is built from "idiot" with the suffix "-cy," a common ending for nouns of state or quality.

Synonyms: foolishness, stupidity, absurdity

Antonyms: wisdom, intelligence