from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Simple \Sim"ple\, a. [Compar. {Simpler}; superl. {Simplest}.]
[F., fr. L. simplus, or simplex, gen. simplicis. The first
part of the Latin words is probably akin to E. same, and the
sense, one, one and the same; cf. L. semel once, singuli one
to each, single. Cg. {Single}, a., {Same}, a., and for the
last part of the word cf. {Double}, {Complex}.]
1. Single; not complex; not infolded or entangled;
uncombined; not compounded; not blended with something
else; not complicated; as, a simple substance; a simple
idea; a simple sound; a simple machine; a simple problem;
simple tasks.
[1913 Webster]
2. Plain; unadorned; as, simple dress. "Simple truth."
--Spenser. "His simple story." --Burns.
[1913 Webster]
3. Mere; not other than; being only.
[1913 Webster]
A medicine . . . whose simple touch
Is powerful to araise King Pepin. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
4. Not given to artifice, stratagem, or duplicity;
undesigning; sincere; true.
[1913 Webster]
Full many fine men go upon my score, as simple as I
stand here, and I trust them. --Marston.
[1913 Webster]
Must thou trust Tradition's simple tongue? --Byron.
[1913 Webster]
To be simple is to be great. --Emerson.
[1913 Webster]
5. Artless in manner; unaffected; unconstrained; natural;
inartificial;; straightforward.
[1913 Webster]
In simple manners all the secret lies. --Young.
[1913 Webster]
6. Direct; clear; intelligible; not abstruse or enigmatical;
as, a simple statement; simple language.
[1913 Webster]
7. Weak in intellect; not wise or sagacious; of but moderate
understanding or attainments; hence, foolish; silly. "You
have simple wits." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
The simple believeth every word; but the prudent man
looketh well to his going. --Prov. xiv.
15.
[1913 Webster]
8. Not luxurious; without much variety; plain; as, a simple
diet; a simple way of living.
[1913 Webster]
Thy simple fare and all thy plain delights.
--Cowper.
[1913 Webster]
9. Humble; lowly; undistinguished.
[1913 Webster]
A simple husbandman in garments gray. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
Clergy and laity, male and female, gentle and simple
made the fuel of the same fire. --Fuller.
[1913 Webster]
10. (BOt.) Without subdivisions; entire; as, a simple stem; a
simple leaf.
[1913 Webster]
11. (Chem.) Not capable of being decomposed into anything
more simple or ultimate by any means at present known;
elementary; thus, atoms are regarded as simple bodies.
Cf. {Ultimate}, a.
[1913 Webster]
Note: A simple body is one that has not as yet been
decomposed. There are indications that many of our
simple elements are still compound bodies, though their
actual decomposition into anything simpler may never be
accomplished.
[1913 Webster]
12. (Min.) Homogenous.
[1913 Webster]
13. (Zool.) Consisting of a single individual or zooid; as, a
simple ascidian; -- opposed to compound.
[1913 Webster]
{Simple contract} (Law), any contract, whether verbal or
written, which is not of record or under seal. --J. W.
Smith. --Chitty.
{Simple equation} (Alg.), an equation containing but one
unknown quantity, and that quantity only in the first
degree.
{Simple eye} (Zool.), an eye having a single lens; -- opposed
to {compound eye}.
{Simple interest}. See under {Interest}.
{Simple larceny}. (Law) See under {Larceny}.
{Simple obligation} (Rom. Law), an obligation which does not
depend for its execution upon any event provided for by
the parties, or is not to become void on the happening of
any such event. --Burrill.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Single; uncompounded; unmingled; unmixed; mere;
uncombined; elementary; plain; artless; sincere;
harmless; undesigning; frank; open; unaffected;
inartificial; unadorned; credulous; silly; foolish;
shallow; unwise.
Usage: {Simple}, {Silly}. One who is simple is sincere,
unaffected, and inexperienced in duplicity, -- hence
liable to be duped. A silly person is one who is
ignorant or weak and also self-confident; hence, one
who shows in speech and act a lack of good sense.
Simplicity is incompatible with duplicity, artfulness,
or vanity, while silliness is consistent with all
three. Simplicity denotes lack of knowledge or of
guile; silliness denotes want of judgment or right
purpose, a defect of character as well as of
education.
[1913 Webster]
I am a simple woman, much too weak
To oppose your cunning. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
He is the companion of the silliest people in
their most silly pleasure; he is ready for every
impertinent entertainment and diversion. --Law.
[1913 Webster]
from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
SIMPLE CONTRACT. One, the evidence of which is merely oral, or in writing,
not under seal, nor of record. 1 Chit. Contr. 1 1 Chit. Pl. 88; and vide 11
Mass. R. 30 11 East, R. 312; 4 Barn. & Ald. 588; Stark. Ev. 995; 2 Bl. Com.
472.
2. As contracts of this nature are frequently entered into without
thought or proper deliberation, the law requires that there be some good
cause, consideration or motive, before they can be enforced in the courts.
The party making the promise must have obtained some advantage, or the party
to whom it is made must have sustained some injury or inconvenience in
consequence of such promise; this rule has been established for the purpose
of protecting weak and thoughtless persons from the consequences of rash,
improvident, and inconsiderate engagements. See Nudum pactum. But it must be
recollected this rule does not apply to promissory notes, bills of exchange
or commercial papers. 3 M. & S. 352.