avaunt

A knight shouts "Avaunt!" to the approaching dragon.

Definition

1. Interjection (archaic):
   • A command to depart: "avaunt" is an exclamation used to order someone to go away or leave immediately, often in a dramatic or humorous context.

Usage Examples

• Interjection:
  • "Avaunt, vile creature!" cried the knight, brandishing his sword. (A dramatic command for the creature to leave.)
  • "Avaunt, thou pesky fly!" she said, waving her hand dismissively. (A humorous way to tell a fly to go away.)

Advanced Usage

• "Avaunt" in literary and theatrical contexts: The word is rarely used in modern speech but appears in historical fiction, fantasy, or comedic works to evoke an old-fashioned or grandiose tone.
  • The ghost cried, "Avaunt! Leave this haunted hall!" (A plea or command for someone to depart from a place.)

Variants and Related Words

• Avaunt (verb, archaic): used rarely as a verb meaning "to go away" or "to depart."
  • He avaunted from the chamber without a word. (He left the room.) Note: This verb form is extremely rare and mostly found in historical texts.

Synonyms

• Begone: an archaic command to leave.
  • "Begone, foul beast!" (A similar dramatic order to depart.)
• Depart: to go away (less forceful).
• Scram: a modern, informal command to leave quickly.
  • "Scram, kid!" (An abrupt order to go away.)

Related Idioms

• "Get thee hence": an archaic phrase meaning "go away from here."
  • "Get thee hence, evil spirit!" (A biblical or dramatic command to leave.)
• "Avaunt and away": a poetic or humorous doubling for emphasis.
  • "Avaunt and away, you meddlesome rogue!" (A forceful, archaic dismissal.)