Words / C1

FRAK-ah/ˈfrækɑː/

A fracas is a noisy quarrel or brawl: a lobby fracas, a fracas at the door (same form in the plural). Fight and quarrel (already in the dictionary) are everyday; “atmosphere” is not an incident log.

Meaning

A noisy quarrel or brawl (same form in the plural).

Examples

• “A fracas in the lobby is an incident log, not “atmosphere”.”
• “Row is everyday. Brawl is the close twin. Atmosphere is a slogan. A dated line is a file. Log the incident; save atmosphere for the heritage leaflet if the inspector still allows it.”

Good to know

A noisy fight or row. Everyday: row. “Atmosphere” ≠ an incident log.

Near in meaning

brawl, row, melee

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