Know your English
What is the meaning of "infructuous"?
As soon as I typed out your question, the spell checker on my computer highlighted the word "infructuous", telling me that such a word does not exist! At least it hasn't been included in the computer's dictionary. "Infructuous" is a word that is not used very often by native speakers of English, it is however quite popular among newspaper reporters in India. First, let me deal with the pronunciation of the word. The "u" in the second syllable sounds like the "u" in "but", "cut", and "hut". The following "tu" is like the "tue" in "Tuesday". The final "ous" is like the "ous" in "humourous", "fabulous", and "dangerous". The main stress is on the second syllable. As for the meaning, well the word means "unprofitable, unfruitful, ineffective". Here are a few examples.
*After several infructuous interviews to find a job, Ashwini turned to crime.
*Gauri made an infructuous appeal to the Chairman to retain the services of Arun.
*Sashidhar made several infructuous attempts to steal the Nizam's diamonds.
"The last time I was in Spain, I got through six Jeffrey Archer novels. I must remember to take enough toilet paper next time." — Bob Monkhouse.
Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, October 16, 2001
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