- ridicule (v.)
- 1680s, from French ridicule, from Latin ridiculum, neuter of ridiculus (see ridiculous). Related: Ridiculed; ridiculing.
- ridicule (n.)
- 1700, from ridicule (v.).
"He who brings ridicule to bear against truth, finds in his hand a blade without a hilt." [Walter Savage Landor, "Imaginary Conversations"]