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infructuous
What is the meaning of infructuous?
As soon as we typed out your question, the spell checker on my computer highlighted this word, 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 and ineffective.
Here are a few examples.
• After several infructuous interviews to find a job, Shiny turned to crime.
• Gary made an infructuous appeal to the Chairman to retain the services of Aaron.
• Sashidhar made several infructuous attempts to steal the Nixa’s diamonds.
COURTESY : The Hindu (The National News-Paper) - India
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