Cardboard

//ˈkɑɹdˌbɔɹd// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Made of or resembling cardboard; (figurative) flat or flavorless.

    "The worst of the thing, however, is that the enormity, such as it is, happens to be of a very cardboard and tinsel character."

Adjective
  1. 1
    without substance wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A wood-based material resembling heavy paper, used in the manufacture of boxes, cartons and signs. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    a stiff moderately thick paper wordnet
  3. 3
    Something flat or insubstantial. countable, figuratively, uncountable

    "In my experience, one of the most vital times in the life of a piece of fiction is when a character begins to speak, timidly and softly, in one's head. Honest and true books get written when the author feels free to coax and invite that character in. If the author's response to that small voice is instead to submit it to a test: "Are you: black/white/gay/straight/male/female/Christian/Jewish/old/young/politically correct" the character will probably turn around and leave or else turn into cardboard."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From card + board.

Etymology 2

From card + board.

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