DICTIONARY D
DB - DECZ
DB - DEADLZ
D.B.
adj. 1. L19 Brit. sl. - 'damn bad'
adj. 2. 1909 colloq. - Damned Bad (theatrical usage)
n. 1. 1973 US sl. - a dead body
n. 2. 2003 US sl. - a socially inept person (Douche Bag)
D-BOY
n. 1990s US sl. - a drug dealer (African-American teen usage)
D.C.
n. 1. 1900s Aust. sl. - the Dress Circle in the theatre
n. 2. 1930s US sl. - a Dangerous Character (criminals' usage)
n. 3. 1966 US sl. - a hamburger with every possible trimming and condiment
n. 4. 1980s UK sl. - a Detention Centre (criminals' usage)
n. 5. 1990s US sl. - the Death Cell (prison usage)
D'D
adj. M19 euphemism - damned
DD
adj. 1950 US sl. - said of a criminal who gives up no information at all if arrested
n. 1926 US sl. - a person who is Deaf and Dumb
D.D.F.M.G.
n. 1990s US college sl. - an exceptionally attractive member of the opposite sex (Drop Dead Fuck Me Gorgeous)
D.D.G.
adj. 2000s sl. - extremely attractive (Drop-Dead Gorgeous)
DDH
n. 20C Aust. teen sl. - an incredibly attractive male (Drop-Dead Honey)
D-DOG
n. 1992 US sl. - a dog trained to detect hidden drugs
D.D.T!
int. 1. 1947 US college sl. - an exclamation of dismissal or contempt (Drop Dead Twice)
int. 2. 1970s US sl. - a command to stop doing something (Don't Do That)
DE
n. 1. 1970s US criminals' sl. - a DEfendant
n. 2. 1970s US criminals' sl. - the DEceased
DEAC
n. 1742 Amer. sl. - a deacon
DEACON
n. 1. 1790 Sc. - a superior or head workman; an adept, a proficient, a master; a thoroughly capable man
n. 2. 19C chimney-sweeps' usage a chimney-sweep's scraper
n. 3. 1949 US sl. - a prison warden
n. 4. 20C teen sl., derogatory - an excessively stupid or unpleasant person
vb. 1. 1855 US sl. - to arrange so as to present a specious and attractive appearance; to present the best and largest specimens (of fruit or vegetables) to view and conceal the defective ones
vb. 2. 1889 Amer. sl. - to sophisticate, to adulterate, to doctor, as, to 'deacon' wine or other liquor
DEACON SEAT
n. 1. 1851 US sl. - in a lumber camp: the long bench in the bunkhouse
n. 2. 1975 US sl. - the seats nearest a fire
DEACON-SEATER
n. 1975 Amer. dial. - a good tall story
DEACON'S NOSE
n. 1967 Can. sl. - the flat lobe at the nether end of a chicken, which is like a mammal's tail, base for the tail-feathers
DEACTION
n. 1656 obs. - a finishing or perfecting
DEAD
adj. 1. 1000 - dull; tedious and uninteresting
adj. 2. c1386 obs. - of the face: deadly pale, wan
adj. 3. 1400 - ruined; destroyed
adj. 4. 1530 - lacking brilliance and overtones; flat; dull
adj. 5. 1589 - absolute; assured
adj. 6. E17 - complete, utter
adj. 7. 1782 obs. - flat
adj. 8. M18 sl. - of a beer bottle, whisky bottle, or other bottle: finished, empty
adj. 9. 1813 Amer. sl. - tired to exhaustion
adj. 10. 1819 Amer. sl. rare - perfect; genuine; veritable; unmistakable; absolute
adj. 11. 1866 Amer. sl. - ample; great in number or quantity
adj. 12. 1887 Amer. dial. - unconscious, senseless
adj. 13. 1899 Amer. sl. - being no longer a tramp or criminal; reformed
adj. 14. 19C - very drunk
adj. 15. M19 African-American sl. - of things, ideas: unfashionable, out of style
adj. 16. M19 African-American sl. - of people: forgotten
adj. 17. L19 sl. - of a house or place: uninhabited, empty, deserted
adj. 18. 1900s sl. - having no knowledge; exceedingly stupid; dense
adj. 19. 1902 Amer. sl. - not operating; not startable
adj. 20. 1930s sl. - of a place, esp. a club or party: boring, unexciting
adj. 21. 1950s sl. - finished; lost; arrested, captured
adj. 22. 1957 Aust. sl. - of a racehorse: not run on its merits; ridden to lose deliberately
adj. 23. 1960s African-American sl. - penniless
adj. 24. 1977 US sl. - said of a bumper that scores when hit but does not propel the ball back into play (pinball usage)
adj. 25. 1985 UK sl. - in a bar: used to describe a drink that has been abandoned
adj. 26. 1990 US pool sl. - said of a shot made such that the cue ball stops completely after striking the object ball
adj. 27. 1990s US college sl. - facing trouble
adj. 28. 1993 US sl. - of dice: weighted to have one face land up more often than the law of averages would predict
adj. 29. 20C Aust. sl. - quiet
adj. 30. 20C basketball sl. - having completed a dribble and being forced either to shoot or pass
adj. 31. 20C Aust. sl. - of a horse racing track: not conducive to fast racing
adj. 32. 20C Aust. sl. - sexually dull
adj. 33. M20 US drugs sl. - intoxicated with marijuana
adv. 1589 - intensifier; very, thoroughly, absolutely, extremely, completely; wholeheartedly
n. 1. 1766 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial. - death
n. 2. 1827 Amer. students' sl. - a complete failure in recitation
n. 3. 1950s US Post Office usage - a letter or package that can neither be delivered nor returned
n. 4. 20C W. Indies & Barbados sl. - problems, trouble
n. 5. L20 sl. - an empty house
n. 6. 1971 Barbados - a corpse
n. 7. 1973 US sl. - in card games: cards that have been discarded
vb. 1. c950 obs. - to become dead; to die
vb. 2. 1382 obs. - to deprive of sensation or consciousness; to stupefy; to benumb
vb. 3. c1384 obs. - to lose vitality, force, or vigour; to become numb; to lose heat or glow
vb. 4. 1586 obs. - to deprive of force or vigour
vb. 5. 1837 Amer. sl. - of a teacher: to cause a student to fail in recitation
vb. 6. 1847 Amer. sl. - to make a complete failure in recitation; to be ignorant of the lesson
vb. 7. 20C US sl. - to loaf around; to idle
vb. 8. 2000s US prison sl. - to remove, to steal
THE DEAD
n. c1870 turf sl. - horse as dead certainties
DEAD-A-BIRD
adj. 1893 Eng. dial. - nearly dying; ill
DEAD ABOVE THE EARS
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. - inattentive; absent-minded
DEAD AIR
n. 1950s US broadcasting sl. - a sudden and undesirable silence
DEAD ALIVE
adj. 1. 1591 chiefly US - dull, inactive, spiritless; stupid
adj. 2. M19 sl. - miserable, down in the mouth
adv. 1971 Trinidad and Tobago - ('dead-alive) extremely slowly
n. 1981 UK bingo sl. - the number five
DEAD AND ALIVE
adj. 1. a1862 chiefly US - dull, inactive, spiritless, stupid
adj. 2. M19 sl. - miserable, down in the mouth
DEAD AND GONE
adj. 1871 Sc. & Eng. dial. - dead and buried
DEAD AND GONE BACK
adj. Bk1900 Eng. dial. - dead and buried
DEAD AND HAPPED UP
adj. Bk1900 Eng. dial. - dead and buried
DEAD AND LOW LAID
adj. Bk1900 Eng. dial. - dead and buried
DEAD AND WON'T LIE DOWN
phr. 20C Aust. sl. - refusing to give in
DEADAS
n. 1990s W. Indies sl. - meat
DEAD AS A BED-POST
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. - dead
DEAD AS A DODO
adj. 1904 sl. - absolutely lifeless; entirely hopeless; defunct or out of date
DEAD AS A DOOR-NAIL
adj. c1350 - completely or certainly dead; absolutely lifeless; entirely hopeless
DEAD AS A DOOR-POST
adj. 1906 Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A HAMMER
adj. 1866 Eng. & Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A HATCHET
adj. 1899 Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A HERRING
adj. 1598 - completely or certainly dead
DEAD AS A LOG
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. - dead
DEAD AS A MACKEREL
adj. 1853 Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A MAGGOT
adj. Bk1900 Eng. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A MAWK
adj. 1805 Sc. - quite dead
DEAD AS A MELL
adj. 1798 Sc. - 'as dead as a door-nail'; quite dead
DEAD AS A MOA
adj. 1955 NZ sl. - long dead; outmoded
DEAD AS A NIT
adj. 1883 Eng. & Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A PICKLED HERRING
adj. 1852 Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A RAG
adj. Bk1900 Eng. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A SMELT
adj. 1854 Eng. & Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A WOODEN INDIAN
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. - dead
DEAD AS BARNEY'S BULL
adj. M19 sl. - absolutely worthless
DEAD AS BILLY-BE-DAMNED
adj. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. - very dead
DEAD AS CHOPPED SAUSAGE
adj. 1843 Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS DISCO
adj. 1995 US sl. - completely dead
DEAD AS DITCHWATER
adj. Bk1900 Sc. & Eng. dial. - of beer, spirits, etc.: flat, stale
DEAD AS DOGSHIT
adj. 1980s sl. - absolutely dead
DEAD AS HANNAH EMERSON
adj. 1907 Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS HAY
adj. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. - lifeless; lacking energy
DEAD AS HECTOR
adj. 1908 Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS JULIUS CAESAR
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. - dead
DEAD AS KELSEY'S NUTS
adj. 1930s US sl. - very definitely dead; out of favour
DEAD-ASS
adj. 1. 1961 Amer. sl. - (usually as 'dead-ass') lacking animation, energy, or spirit; lifeless; usually considered vulgar
adj. 2. 20C Amer. sl. - very boring, feeble, or very stupid
adv. 1 1970s US sl. - lifelessly, listlessly
adv. 2. 1971 Amer. sl. - utterly; absolutely; completely, totally; usually considered vulgar
n. 1. 1950 Amer. sl. - the seated rump; usually considered vulgar
n. 2. 1959 Amer. sl. - a lazy or stupid person; a boring, useless or feeble person; an absolute dullard; an idler
n. 3. 1968 Amer. sl. - one whose case is hopeless; a goner
DEAD-ASS BROKE
adj. utterly broke ...1971 Amer. sl.
DEAD-ASS STUPID
adj. completely stupid ...1985 Amer. sl.
DEAD-ASS WRONG
adj. completely wrong ...1983 Amer. sl.
DEAD ATTRACTIVE
adj. completely cute ...1980 Amer. sl.
DEAD BABIES
n. semen ...1998 US sl.
DEAD BABY
n. suet pudding with sauce ...1950s sl., chiefly UK juvenile usage
DEAD-BANG
adj. 1. of a criminal case: open-and-shut; irrefutable ...1934 Amer. sl.
adj. 2. certain; absolute ...1985 Amer. sl.
adv. 1. absolutely; without doubt; hence, in the act; redhanded ...1919 Amer. police usage
adv. 2. squarely; smack ...1978 Amer. sl.
DEAD-BANG GUILTY
adj. absolutely guilty ...1987 Amer. sl.
DEAD BATTERY
n. an irritable or gloomy person; a pessimist ...World War II Amer. sl.
DEAD BEAT
adj. 1. completely exhausted ...1821
adj. 2. thoroughly defeated ...1820 sl.
adj. 3. certain ...1859 US sl.
adj. 4. lazy, idle ...M19 sl.
adj. 5. useless, ne'er-do-well, impoverished ...L19 sl.
adj. 6. shabby and grungy; down and out ...20C Aust. sl.
adj. 7. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. (usually as 'deadbeat')
n. 1. a malingerer or loafer; one who avoids exertion in any form; anyone exempt from military action, even if in uniform...1862 Amer. sl., esp. military
n. 2. a fraudulent or worthless item; also, a deception or disappointment ...1866 Amer. sl.
n. 3. of people: a failure, a down-and-out, an impoverished person; a person down on their luck; a jobless and homeless person ...M19 sl., orig. US
n. 4. a cadger or sponger; a penniless scrounger; a worthless idler; one who will not or cannot pay debts ...1871 Amer. sl.
n. 5. a worthless or unsociable person; a party pooper or one who is considered a wet blanket ...1872 Amer. sl.
n. 6. an impostor or pretender; a fraud; a cheat ...1873 Amer. sl.
n. 7. a mixture of ginger-soda and whisky, taken by hard drinkers after a night's carousal ...1877 US sl.
n. 8. one who cheats or cons someone out of money or other valuables ...1900s US Black sl.
n. 9. a hobo or tramp riding free on a train ...20C Amer. sl.
vb. 1. to waste time; to idle about; to take advantage of, to impose on ...1881 Amer. dial.
vb. 2. to cheat ...L19 US sl.
vb. 3. to sponge on someone ...L19 US sl.
DEADBEAT DAD
n. a man who is delinquent in paying child support awards ...1990s Amer. sl.
DEADBEAT DADDY
n. a man who is delinquent in paying child support awards ...1990s Amer. sl.
DEADBEATER
n. a dead person ...20C Amer. sl.
DEADBEATISM
n. worthlessness ...M19 sl.
DEADBELL
n. a ringing in the ears ...20C Irish sl.
DEAD BETWEEN THE EARS
adj. inattentive; absent-minded ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEAD BIRD
n. 1. in horse racing: a certainty ...1889 Aust. sl.
n. 2. a hopeless case, situation, or person ...1900s US sl.
n. 3. a vulture ...1967 Amer. dial.
DEAD BOARD
n. an Internet bulletin board system designed by, and for, fans of the Grateful Dead ...1994 US sl.
DEAD BOOK
vb. to kill, to hang ...E19 UK criminals' sl.
DEAD-BORN
adj. stillborn; pert. to a child born dead ... c1330 now chiefly Eng. dial.
DEAD-BROKE
adj. ruined, bankrupt, penniless; destitute ...1842 Amer. colloq.
vb. to impoverish ...M19
DEAD-BROKER
n. a down-and-out, an impoverished person ...L19 Aust. sl.
DEAD BUTT
adj. lacking animation, energy, or spirit; lifeless; usually considered vulgar (usually as 'dead-butt') ...1958 Amer. sl.
n. the seated rump; usually considered vulgar ...1959 Amer. sl.
DEAD CARD
n. something that is hopeless, out of favour, unlucky, unfashionable, or unpopular ...1899 Amer. sl.
DEAD CARGO
n. the proceeds of a robbery that have turned out to be less valuable than hoped ...L17 UK criminals' sl.
DEAD CART
n. a vehicle used for transporting the dead; a hearse ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAD CAT
n. in the circus: a lion, tiger, etc. that does not perform but is only exhibited ...1930s Amer. circus usage
DEAD-CAT BOUNCE
n. a tiny rise or recovery after a decline ...1990s Amer. stock market usage
DEAD CAT ON THE LINE
n. something causing suspicion, mistrust, or concern; something immoral ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAD CAT UP THE BRANCH
phr. used to suggest that something is suspicious, something is not as it should be, someone is attempting to deceive the speaker ...20C sl.
DEAD CAT UP THE LINE
phr. used when something seems suspicious ...20C US Black sl.
DEAD CENTRE
n. 1. a point at which nothing is happening ...1920s Amer. sl.
n. 2. a cemetery ...1961 UK sl.
DEAD-CERT
adj. certain ...1993 Aust. sl.
n. ('dead cert') a certainty, esp. in race-course betting ...1889 UK sl., orig. sporting & gambling usage
DEAD CHICKEN
n. a doomed person, a lost soul ...1960s US sl.
DEAD CHOCKER; DEAD CHOKKA
adj. very bored ...1950s sl., orig. military
DEAD CHUFFED
adj. 1. displeased, disgruntled ...20C army sl.
adj. 2. highly delighted ...c1950 sl.
DEAD-CINCH
adj. certain ...2001 UK sl.
n. ('dead cinch') a horse, etc. supposed to be certain to win; a thing sure to happen; an absolute certainty ...1927 sl.
DEAD CLEAR TO YOUR NAVEL
adj. lifeless ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
DEAD COP
n. a sure way to win, or to make money ...c1870 sporting sl.
DEAD-COPPER
n. an informer to the police ...c1920 Aust. sl.
DEAD CUNT
n. a strong term of abuse ...1990s Aust. sl.
DEAD-DEAF
adj. quite deaf ...1865 Sc.
DEAD DOG
n. a drained liquor bottle ...1918 US Navy sl.
int. a command to a dog: lie down and remain still ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAD-DOING
† adj. 'doing to death'; causing death; killing, murderous; destructive, fatal, mortal ... 1590
DEAD-DOUR
adj. utterly immovable ...Bk1900 Sc.
DEAD DROP
n. in espionage or a sophisticated criminal venture: a location where a message can be left by one party and retrieved by another ...1986 US sl.
DEAD DRUNK
adj. so drunk as to be insensible or unable to move; in a state of prostration through intoxication ...1599
DEAD DUCK
n. 1. a person or thing that has become useless, worthless, or powerless; an absolute failure ...1829 Amer. sl.
n. 2. a person lacking good prospects; a person or thing doomed to failure or disaster; one whose case is hopeless; a goner ...1944 sl.
DEAD EASY
adj. said of any woman (other than a prostitute), who is ready to go home and sleep with a man ...20C Cockneys’ colloq.
DEADEN
vb. to kill someone ...1974 Amer. dial.
DEAD END
n. in bowls: an end (a stage of play) that has to be replayed when the jack is driven out of bounds ...1990 UK
DEAD-END KID
n. a youth with no future, usually a male ...20C Amer. sl.
DEAD-END STREET
n. the female genitals ...c1930 Can.
DEADENER
n. 1. one that is stunning; a 'knockout' ...1870 Amer. sl.
n. 2. an enormous meal eaten after having been deprived of food for some time ...1927 Amer. dial.
n. 3. a bully; one who prefers to settle arguments through violence ...1930s Aust. sl.
DEADER
n. 1. a dead person; a corpse ...1853 sl.
n. 2. an utterly exhausted person ...1895 Amer. sl.
n. 3. a hearse ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEADERS
n. animal flesh, meat by-products eaten as food ...1980s W. Indies & UK Black teen sl.
DEADER THAN A DOORNAIL
adj. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEADER THAN A HERRING
adj. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEADER THAN A PELCHER
adj. quite dead ...1927 Amer. dial.
DEADER THAN A WOODEN INDIAN
adj. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEADER THAN HAY
adj. lifeless, lacking energy ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
DEADER THAN KELSEY'S NUTS
adj. very definitely dead; out of favour ...1930s US sl.
DEADEYE
n. 1. a worthless fellow; a dolt ...1849 US nautical usage
n. 2. Deady brand gin; gin ...1890 US sl.
n. 3. a skilled marksman ...1942 Amer. sl.
n. 4. the anus ...a1961 US sl., esp. nautical & prison usage
n. 5. a pure black marble ...c1970 Amer. dial.
vb. to stare at in a chilly manner ...1960s US sl.
DEAD EYE AND HORSE
n. a pie and sauce ...20C Aust. rhyming sl.
DEADEYE DICK
n. 1. an active male homosexual ...1960s Amer. gay sl.
n. 2. ('dead eye dick') a person who is an excellent shot ...1986 Aust. sl.
DEAD-EYES UNDER
adj. of a ship: listing heavily ...M19 nautical sl.
DEADFALL
n. 1. a dishonest, disreputable, vice-ridden drinking establishment ...1837 US sl.
n. 2. a Western stunt rider in motion pictures ...c1925 cinematic sl.
DEAD FETTLE
n. a lifeless condition ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD FINISH
n. the end ...1881 Aust. sl.
DEAD FINISH, THE
n. 1. the extreme point or instance of courage, cruelty, excellent, endurance, etc. ...1881 Aust. colloq.
n. 2. an excellent person; an out-and-outer ...Bk1892 Aust. sl.
DEAD FINK
n. an attractive girl ...20C Irish sl.
DEAD FISH
n. a gambler who places small bets to prolong the inevitable ...1963 US sl.
DEAD-FLESHED
adj. having a chilly sensation like dead flesh ...BK1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD FLICK
adj. very desirable ...Irish sl.
DEADFOOT
n. a slow vehicle ...1976 US sl.
DEAD FOR
adj. in desperate need of ...1876 Amer. sl.
DEAD FOR ADO
adj. dead and done with ...16C colloq.
DEAD FOR SLEEP
adj. deadly in need of sleep ...1957 Amer. dial.
DEAD FROM THE HOOFS UP
adj. inattentive; absent-minded ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEAD FROM THE NECK BOTH WAYS
adj. exceedingly stupid ...1924 Amer. sl.
DEAD FROM THE NECK UP
adj. 1. exceedingly stupid; brainless; habitually tongue-tied ...1911 sl.
adj. 2. inattentive; absent-minded ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
adj. 3. no longer open to new ideas ...20C Amer. sl.
DEAD FROST
n. a fiasco, a complete failure ...c1875 theatrical sl.
DEAD GAFF
n. a premises with no-one in ...1955 UK sl.
DEAD-GAME
adj. dissolute, ostentatious ...L19 US college sl.
DEAD-GARTH
n. the burying ground ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD GIVE-AWAY
n. 1. a notable indication, or betrayal of guilt, or defect; a completely betrayal ...1882 US colloq.
n. 2. a swindle, a deception ...L19 sl., orig. US
DEAD GROTTY
adj. nasty ...1984 Amer. sl.
DEAD HAND
n. 1. an expert ...19C sl.
n. 2. in poker: any hand held by a player who has bet all of his chips or money on the hand ...1947 US sl.
DEADHEAD
adj. 1. useless; non-participant ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. non-paying ...1892 Amer. dial.
adv. 1. for free ...M19 sl.
adv. 2. of a cab, aeroplane, etc.: being driven without its usual load or passengers ...1920s sl.
n. 1. one who receives goods or services without paying; a person travelling or receiving admission to games, theatres, etc. without charge ...1841 Amer. dial.
n. 2. a non-participant, one who does not contribute ...M19 sl.
n. 3. one who stands about a bar to drink at the expense of others ...Bk1892 Aust. sl.
n. 4. a bottle of wine or spirits that has been emptied ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. 5. a member of a football or cricket team called upon to play at a pinch ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. 6. a dull and ineffectual person; a lifeless or boring person ...1907 sl.
n. 7. a cheat ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
n. 8. a drunk person ...1930s US Black sl.
n. 9. a stupid person ...1930s US Black sl.
n. 10. a railroad car or engine being pulled empty ...1938 Amer. dial.
n. 11. an old ox ...c1940 Amer. dial.
n. 12. a pilot, flight attendant, etc., travelling on a plane as a passenger ...20C Aust. sl.
n. 13. a lazy, worthless person or animal; an idler, a loafer; a term of disparagement ...1965 Amer. dial.
n. 14. a very inexperienced person ...1965 Amer. dial.
n. 15. a person who doesn't pay his bills ...1965 Amer. dial.
n. 16. an old man ...1965 Amer. dial.
n. 17. a follower of the Grateful Dead, a band strongly associated with psychedelic drugs, seen by many to epitomise the hippie ideal ...1972 US sl.
n. 18. a person given a ticket or tickets for having performed minor services in a theatrical production ...1973 US sl.
n. 19. a non-playing observer of gambling ...1974 US sl.
n. 20. a young person, preaching a philosophy of 'love and peace', backed by a wide spectrum of drug usage, esp. of cannabis and hallucinogens; a hippie, esp. a devotee of a 'back to nature' lifestyle ...1980s sl.
n. 21. a state of non-communication ...2000s sl.
vb. 1. to obtain goods, services, transportation, admission, etc. without paying; to sponge; to allow someone to do the same ...1855 Amer. dial.
vb. 2. in trucking: to drive a return trip without a load ...1951 Amer. dial.
vb. 3. to drive a cab, aeroplane, etc. without its usual load or passengers ...1920s sl.
vb. 4. to work at a useless job ...1958 Amer. dial.
vb. 5. to coast in a car with a depleted petrol supply ...1976 US sl.
vb. 6. to discourage ...2001 UK sl.
vb. 7. to ignore ...2002 UK sl.
DEAD-HEADED
adj. 1. useless; non-participant ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. inattentive; absent-minded ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEAD HEART
n. the arid inland regions of Australia ...1906 Aust. sl.
DEAD-HEARTED
adj. dead in feeling, callous, insensible ...1642
DEAD HEAT
n. a necktie ...1980s Aust. sl.
DEAD-HOLE
n. a grave ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD HORSE
n. 1. a debt for wages paid in advance which must be worked off ...1832 Amer. dial.
n. 2. a debt of any kind ...1854 Amer. dial.
n. 3. work that doesn't pay but must be done ...M19 sl.
n. 4. tomato sauce ...1966 Aust. rhyming sl.
n. 5. stew ...20C sl.
DEAD HORSES
n. shooting stars ...Bk1892 W. Indian sl.
DEAD HOUR OF NIGHT, THE
n. midnight ...1870 Sc.
DEAD-HOUSE
n. 1. a grave ...1844 Eng. dial.
n. 2. a building or room in which dead bodies are kept for a time; a mortuary ...1833
n. 3. a room in an outback public house set aside for those who are incapably drunk ...M19 Aust. sl.
n. 4. a particularly unappealing bar or saloon ...L19 US sl.
n. 5. a funeral parlour ...1965 Barbados sl.
DEADIE
n. a dead person ...1970s sl.
DEAD-ILL
adj. sick with a mortal malady ...1897 Sc.
n. a mortal illness ...1822 Sc.
DEAD INDIAN
n. an empty bottle ...1960s US sl.
DEAD IN THE SHELL
adj. utterly worn out ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
DEADISH
* adj. somewhat dead ...a1450
DEAD-KIST
n. a coffin ...1878 Sc.
DEAD-KNOWLEDGE
n. deceitfulness, cunning ...Bk1900 Ireland
DEAD-KNOWLEDGE MAN
n. a cunning or deceitful man ...1900s Aust. sl.
DEADLEG
n. 1. a feeble, lazy, or disappointing person ...1950s Brit. sl.
n. 2. a down-and-out, a failure ...1960s sl.
n. 3. a numb feeling in the leg following a kneeing in the thigh by an attacker ...Brit. sl.
n. 4. a useless person ...2003 UK sl.
vb. to knee someone in the thigh, thus causing a numb feeling in the leg ...Brit. sl.
DEAD LETTER PERFECT
adj. of an actor: absolutely certain of your lines ...1952 UK sl.
DEAD-LEVEL BEST
n. the best of one's abilities; utmost ...1956 Amer. dial.
DEAD LICE ARE DROPPING OFF
phr. used for describing someone who is very slow-moving or lazy ...1960 US sl.
DEAD LICE ARE FALLING OFF
phr. used for describing someone who is very slow-moving or lazy ...1960 US sl.
DEAD LIFT
n. a position in which one can do no more, an extremity; a difficulty without assistance ...1567 now arch. or Eng. dial.
DEADLIGHTS
n. the eyes ...19C sl.
DEADLIHEAD
†* n. dead condition; the state of the dead ...1612
DEADLIHOOD
†* n. dead condition; the state of the dead ...1659
DEADLILY
* adv. in a deadly manner; mortally, fatally; excessively ...1621
DEADLINE
n. 1. in marbles: the line toward which the players roll their marbles before beginning a game to determine the order of shooting ...1890 Amer. dial.
n. 2. the red-light area of a town or city ...L19 US sl.
n. 3. ('dead line") in prison: a line the crossing of which will bring gun fire from the guards ...1962 US sl.
vb. to remove from action for repairs ...1991 US Vietnam war usage
DEADLINED
adj. of a vehicle: laid up for repairs ...World War II Amer. sl.
DEADLINESS
† n. the condition of being subject to death; mortality ...a1225
DEAD-LIVERED
adj. dead-alive; stupid, dull, sluggish ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD LOAD
n. a great quantity of anything ...1869 Amer. sl.
DEAD LOADS
n. a great quantity; many ...1869 Amer. sl.
DEAD-LOCK
n. 1. a lock the key of which is lost ...1887 Eng. dial.
n. 2. (usually as 'deadlock) a 'lock' hospital, a hospital for venereal disease ...L19 sl.
n. 3. (usually as 'deadlock') solitary confinement, forfeiture of privileges ...1930s US prison sl.
DEADLOCKER
n. one who is in solitary confinement or deprived of privileges ...1940s US prison sl.
DEAD LOSS
adj. useless, unsuccessful, unprofitable ...1920s sl.
n. 1. an absolutely useless person, idea, or undertaking; a useless, unworkable object; a complete failure; an absolute waste of time or money ...1927 sl., orig. Royal Air Force
n. 2. a boss ...1992 UK rhyming sl.
DEAD-LOWN
adj. of the atmosphere: quite still ...1820 Sc.
DEAD LURK
n. 1. breaking into houses while the occupiers are at church ...M19 UK criminals' sl.
n. 2. empty premises ...M19 sl.
vb. (as dead-lurk') to break into a house when the occupants are away, esp. when they are at church on a Sunday ...L19 UK criminals' sl.
DEAD LURKER
n. a thief specializing in theft from quiet or semi-dark places ...M19 UK criminals' sl.
DEADLY
† adj. 1. subject to death, mortal ...c1000
†* adj. 2. without life, inanimate ...a1225
† adj. 3. in danger of death; likely to die ...a1300
excessive, terrible, awful, very bad, utterly unpleasant ...1660 colloq.
adj. 5. very boring ...1955 US sl.
adj. 6. excellent; fantastic; brilliant; cool ...1960s sl.
† adv. 1. in a way that causes death; mortally, fatally, to death ...c1050
adv. 2. excessively, exceedingly, extremely, very ...1688
† n. a mortal; usually as plural: mortals, human beings ...c1450
DEADLY EMBRACE
n. in computing: the condition resulting when two processes cannot proceed because each is waiting for another to do something ...1981 US sl.
DEADLY-LIVELY
adj. combining dullness and liveliness; lively in a gloomy and depressing way ...1838 colloq.
DEADLY NEVERGREEN
n. the gallows ...L18 sl.
DEADLY NIGHTSHADE
n. a prostitute; a very low prostitute ...19C Brit. sl.
DEADLY TREADLY
n. a bicycle ...2003 Aust. sl., rhyming elaboration of 'treadly' with the suggestion that it is risky to ride
adj. 1. L19 Brit. sl. - 'damn bad'
adj. 2. 1909 colloq. - Damned Bad (theatrical usage)
n. 1. 1973 US sl. - a dead body
n. 2. 2003 US sl. - a socially inept person (Douche Bag)
D-BOY
n. 1990s US sl. - a drug dealer (African-American teen usage)
D.C.
n. 1. 1900s Aust. sl. - the Dress Circle in the theatre
n. 2. 1930s US sl. - a Dangerous Character (criminals' usage)
n. 3. 1966 US sl. - a hamburger with every possible trimming and condiment
n. 4. 1980s UK sl. - a Detention Centre (criminals' usage)
n. 5. 1990s US sl. - the Death Cell (prison usage)
D'D
adj. M19 euphemism - damned
DD
adj. 1950 US sl. - said of a criminal who gives up no information at all if arrested
n. 1926 US sl. - a person who is Deaf and Dumb
D.D.F.M.G.
n. 1990s US college sl. - an exceptionally attractive member of the opposite sex (Drop Dead Fuck Me Gorgeous)
D.D.G.
adj. 2000s sl. - extremely attractive (Drop-Dead Gorgeous)
DDH
n. 20C Aust. teen sl. - an incredibly attractive male (Drop-Dead Honey)
D-DOG
n. 1992 US sl. - a dog trained to detect hidden drugs
D.D.T!
int. 1. 1947 US college sl. - an exclamation of dismissal or contempt (Drop Dead Twice)
int. 2. 1970s US sl. - a command to stop doing something (Don't Do That)
DE
n. 1. 1970s US criminals' sl. - a DEfendant
n. 2. 1970s US criminals' sl. - the DEceased
DEAC
n. 1742 Amer. sl. - a deacon
DEACON
n. 1. 1790 Sc. - a superior or head workman; an adept, a proficient, a master; a thoroughly capable man
n. 2. 19C chimney-sweeps' usage a chimney-sweep's scraper
n. 3. 1949 US sl. - a prison warden
n. 4. 20C teen sl., derogatory - an excessively stupid or unpleasant person
vb. 1. 1855 US sl. - to arrange so as to present a specious and attractive appearance; to present the best and largest specimens (of fruit or vegetables) to view and conceal the defective ones
vb. 2. 1889 Amer. sl. - to sophisticate, to adulterate, to doctor, as, to 'deacon' wine or other liquor
DEACON SEAT
n. 1. 1851 US sl. - in a lumber camp: the long bench in the bunkhouse
n. 2. 1975 US sl. - the seats nearest a fire
DEACON-SEATER
n. 1975 Amer. dial. - a good tall story
DEACON'S NOSE
n. 1967 Can. sl. - the flat lobe at the nether end of a chicken, which is like a mammal's tail, base for the tail-feathers
DEACTION
n. 1656 obs. - a finishing or perfecting
DEAD
adj. 1. 1000 - dull; tedious and uninteresting
adj. 2. c1386 obs. - of the face: deadly pale, wan
adj. 3. 1400 - ruined; destroyed
adj. 4. 1530 - lacking brilliance and overtones; flat; dull
adj. 5. 1589 - absolute; assured
adj. 6. E17 - complete, utter
adj. 7. 1782 obs. - flat
adj. 8. M18 sl. - of a beer bottle, whisky bottle, or other bottle: finished, empty
adj. 9. 1813 Amer. sl. - tired to exhaustion
adj. 10. 1819 Amer. sl. rare - perfect; genuine; veritable; unmistakable; absolute
adj. 11. 1866 Amer. sl. - ample; great in number or quantity
adj. 12. 1887 Amer. dial. - unconscious, senseless
adj. 13. 1899 Amer. sl. - being no longer a tramp or criminal; reformed
adj. 14. 19C - very drunk
adj. 15. M19 African-American sl. - of things, ideas: unfashionable, out of style
adj. 16. M19 African-American sl. - of people: forgotten
adj. 17. L19 sl. - of a house or place: uninhabited, empty, deserted
adj. 18. 1900s sl. - having no knowledge; exceedingly stupid; dense
adj. 19. 1902 Amer. sl. - not operating; not startable
adj. 20. 1930s sl. - of a place, esp. a club or party: boring, unexciting
adj. 21. 1950s sl. - finished; lost; arrested, captured
adj. 22. 1957 Aust. sl. - of a racehorse: not run on its merits; ridden to lose deliberately
adj. 23. 1960s African-American sl. - penniless
adj. 24. 1977 US sl. - said of a bumper that scores when hit but does not propel the ball back into play (pinball usage)
adj. 25. 1985 UK sl. - in a bar: used to describe a drink that has been abandoned
adj. 26. 1990 US pool sl. - said of a shot made such that the cue ball stops completely after striking the object ball
adj. 27. 1990s US college sl. - facing trouble
adj. 28. 1993 US sl. - of dice: weighted to have one face land up more often than the law of averages would predict
adj. 29. 20C Aust. sl. - quiet
adj. 30. 20C basketball sl. - having completed a dribble and being forced either to shoot or pass
adj. 31. 20C Aust. sl. - of a horse racing track: not conducive to fast racing
adj. 32. 20C Aust. sl. - sexually dull
adj. 33. M20 US drugs sl. - intoxicated with marijuana
adv. 1589 - intensifier; very, thoroughly, absolutely, extremely, completely; wholeheartedly
n. 1. 1766 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial. - death
n. 2. 1827 Amer. students' sl. - a complete failure in recitation
n. 3. 1950s US Post Office usage - a letter or package that can neither be delivered nor returned
n. 4. 20C W. Indies & Barbados sl. - problems, trouble
n. 5. L20 sl. - an empty house
n. 6. 1971 Barbados - a corpse
n. 7. 1973 US sl. - in card games: cards that have been discarded
vb. 1. c950 obs. - to become dead; to die
vb. 2. 1382 obs. - to deprive of sensation or consciousness; to stupefy; to benumb
vb. 3. c1384 obs. - to lose vitality, force, or vigour; to become numb; to lose heat or glow
vb. 4. 1586 obs. - to deprive of force or vigour
vb. 5. 1837 Amer. sl. - of a teacher: to cause a student to fail in recitation
vb. 6. 1847 Amer. sl. - to make a complete failure in recitation; to be ignorant of the lesson
vb. 7. 20C US sl. - to loaf around; to idle
vb. 8. 2000s US prison sl. - to remove, to steal
THE DEAD
n. c1870 turf sl. - horse as dead certainties
DEAD-A-BIRD
adj. 1893 Eng. dial. - nearly dying; ill
DEAD ABOVE THE EARS
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. - inattentive; absent-minded
DEAD AIR
n. 1950s US broadcasting sl. - a sudden and undesirable silence
DEAD ALIVE
adj. 1. 1591 chiefly US - dull, inactive, spiritless; stupid
adj. 2. M19 sl. - miserable, down in the mouth
adv. 1971 Trinidad and Tobago - ('dead-alive) extremely slowly
n. 1981 UK bingo sl. - the number five
DEAD AND ALIVE
adj. 1. a1862 chiefly US - dull, inactive, spiritless, stupid
adj. 2. M19 sl. - miserable, down in the mouth
DEAD AND GONE
adj. 1871 Sc. & Eng. dial. - dead and buried
DEAD AND GONE BACK
adj. Bk1900 Eng. dial. - dead and buried
DEAD AND HAPPED UP
adj. Bk1900 Eng. dial. - dead and buried
DEAD AND LOW LAID
adj. Bk1900 Eng. dial. - dead and buried
DEAD AND WON'T LIE DOWN
phr. 20C Aust. sl. - refusing to give in
DEADAS
n. 1990s W. Indies sl. - meat
DEAD AS A BED-POST
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. - dead
DEAD AS A DODO
adj. 1904 sl. - absolutely lifeless; entirely hopeless; defunct or out of date
DEAD AS A DOOR-NAIL
adj. c1350 - completely or certainly dead; absolutely lifeless; entirely hopeless
DEAD AS A DOOR-POST
adj. 1906 Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A HAMMER
adj. 1866 Eng. & Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A HATCHET
adj. 1899 Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A HERRING
adj. 1598 - completely or certainly dead
DEAD AS A LOG
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. - dead
DEAD AS A MACKEREL
adj. 1853 Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A MAGGOT
adj. Bk1900 Eng. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A MAWK
adj. 1805 Sc. - quite dead
DEAD AS A MELL
adj. 1798 Sc. - 'as dead as a door-nail'; quite dead
DEAD AS A MOA
adj. 1955 NZ sl. - long dead; outmoded
DEAD AS A NIT
adj. 1883 Eng. & Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A PICKLED HERRING
adj. 1852 Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A RAG
adj. Bk1900 Eng. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A SMELT
adj. 1854 Eng. & Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS A WOODEN INDIAN
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. - dead
DEAD AS BARNEY'S BULL
adj. M19 sl. - absolutely worthless
DEAD AS BILLY-BE-DAMNED
adj. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. - very dead
DEAD AS CHOPPED SAUSAGE
adj. 1843 Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS DISCO
adj. 1995 US sl. - completely dead
DEAD AS DITCHWATER
adj. Bk1900 Sc. & Eng. dial. - of beer, spirits, etc.: flat, stale
DEAD AS DOGSHIT
adj. 1980s sl. - absolutely dead
DEAD AS HANNAH EMERSON
adj. 1907 Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS HAY
adj. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. - lifeless; lacking energy
DEAD AS HECTOR
adj. 1908 Amer. dial. - quite dead
DEAD AS JULIUS CAESAR
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. - dead
DEAD AS KELSEY'S NUTS
adj. 1930s US sl. - very definitely dead; out of favour
DEAD-ASS
adj. 1. 1961 Amer. sl. - (usually as 'dead-ass') lacking animation, energy, or spirit; lifeless; usually considered vulgar
adj. 2. 20C Amer. sl. - very boring, feeble, or very stupid
adv. 1 1970s US sl. - lifelessly, listlessly
adv. 2. 1971 Amer. sl. - utterly; absolutely; completely, totally; usually considered vulgar
n. 1. 1950 Amer. sl. - the seated rump; usually considered vulgar
n. 2. 1959 Amer. sl. - a lazy or stupid person; a boring, useless or feeble person; an absolute dullard; an idler
n. 3. 1968 Amer. sl. - one whose case is hopeless; a goner
DEAD-ASS BROKE
adj. utterly broke ...1971 Amer. sl.
DEAD-ASS STUPID
adj. completely stupid ...1985 Amer. sl.
DEAD-ASS WRONG
adj. completely wrong ...1983 Amer. sl.
DEAD ATTRACTIVE
adj. completely cute ...1980 Amer. sl.
DEAD BABIES
n. semen ...1998 US sl.
DEAD BABY
n. suet pudding with sauce ...1950s sl., chiefly UK juvenile usage
DEAD-BANG
adj. 1. of a criminal case: open-and-shut; irrefutable ...1934 Amer. sl.
adj. 2. certain; absolute ...1985 Amer. sl.
adv. 1. absolutely; without doubt; hence, in the act; redhanded ...1919 Amer. police usage
adv. 2. squarely; smack ...1978 Amer. sl.
DEAD-BANG GUILTY
adj. absolutely guilty ...1987 Amer. sl.
DEAD BATTERY
n. an irritable or gloomy person; a pessimist ...World War II Amer. sl.
DEAD BEAT
adj. 1. completely exhausted ...1821
adj. 2. thoroughly defeated ...1820 sl.
adj. 3. certain ...1859 US sl.
adj. 4. lazy, idle ...M19 sl.
adj. 5. useless, ne'er-do-well, impoverished ...L19 sl.
adj. 6. shabby and grungy; down and out ...20C Aust. sl.
adj. 7. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. (usually as 'deadbeat')
n. 1. a malingerer or loafer; one who avoids exertion in any form; anyone exempt from military action, even if in uniform...1862 Amer. sl., esp. military
n. 2. a fraudulent or worthless item; also, a deception or disappointment ...1866 Amer. sl.
n. 3. of people: a failure, a down-and-out, an impoverished person; a person down on their luck; a jobless and homeless person ...M19 sl., orig. US
n. 4. a cadger or sponger; a penniless scrounger; a worthless idler; one who will not or cannot pay debts ...1871 Amer. sl.
n. 5. a worthless or unsociable person; a party pooper or one who is considered a wet blanket ...1872 Amer. sl.
n. 6. an impostor or pretender; a fraud; a cheat ...1873 Amer. sl.
n. 7. a mixture of ginger-soda and whisky, taken by hard drinkers after a night's carousal ...1877 US sl.
n. 8. one who cheats or cons someone out of money or other valuables ...1900s US Black sl.
n. 9. a hobo or tramp riding free on a train ...20C Amer. sl.
vb. 1. to waste time; to idle about; to take advantage of, to impose on ...1881 Amer. dial.
vb. 2. to cheat ...L19 US sl.
vb. 3. to sponge on someone ...L19 US sl.
DEADBEAT DAD
n. a man who is delinquent in paying child support awards ...1990s Amer. sl.
DEADBEAT DADDY
n. a man who is delinquent in paying child support awards ...1990s Amer. sl.
DEADBEATER
n. a dead person ...20C Amer. sl.
DEADBEATISM
n. worthlessness ...M19 sl.
DEADBELL
n. a ringing in the ears ...20C Irish sl.
DEAD BETWEEN THE EARS
adj. inattentive; absent-minded ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEAD BIRD
n. 1. in horse racing: a certainty ...1889 Aust. sl.
n. 2. a hopeless case, situation, or person ...1900s US sl.
n. 3. a vulture ...1967 Amer. dial.
DEAD BOARD
n. an Internet bulletin board system designed by, and for, fans of the Grateful Dead ...1994 US sl.
DEAD BOOK
vb. to kill, to hang ...E19 UK criminals' sl.
DEAD-BORN
adj. stillborn; pert. to a child born dead ... c1330 now chiefly Eng. dial.
DEAD-BROKE
adj. ruined, bankrupt, penniless; destitute ...1842 Amer. colloq.
vb. to impoverish ...M19
DEAD-BROKER
n. a down-and-out, an impoverished person ...L19 Aust. sl.
DEAD BUTT
adj. lacking animation, energy, or spirit; lifeless; usually considered vulgar (usually as 'dead-butt') ...1958 Amer. sl.
n. the seated rump; usually considered vulgar ...1959 Amer. sl.
DEAD CARD
n. something that is hopeless, out of favour, unlucky, unfashionable, or unpopular ...1899 Amer. sl.
DEAD CARGO
n. the proceeds of a robbery that have turned out to be less valuable than hoped ...L17 UK criminals' sl.
DEAD CART
n. a vehicle used for transporting the dead; a hearse ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAD CAT
n. in the circus: a lion, tiger, etc. that does not perform but is only exhibited ...1930s Amer. circus usage
DEAD-CAT BOUNCE
n. a tiny rise or recovery after a decline ...1990s Amer. stock market usage
DEAD CAT ON THE LINE
n. something causing suspicion, mistrust, or concern; something immoral ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAD CAT UP THE BRANCH
phr. used to suggest that something is suspicious, something is not as it should be, someone is attempting to deceive the speaker ...20C sl.
DEAD CAT UP THE LINE
phr. used when something seems suspicious ...20C US Black sl.
DEAD CENTRE
n. 1. a point at which nothing is happening ...1920s Amer. sl.
n. 2. a cemetery ...1961 UK sl.
DEAD-CERT
adj. certain ...1993 Aust. sl.
n. ('dead cert') a certainty, esp. in race-course betting ...1889 UK sl., orig. sporting & gambling usage
DEAD CHICKEN
n. a doomed person, a lost soul ...1960s US sl.
DEAD CHOCKER; DEAD CHOKKA
adj. very bored ...1950s sl., orig. military
DEAD CHUFFED
adj. 1. displeased, disgruntled ...20C army sl.
adj. 2. highly delighted ...c1950 sl.
DEAD-CINCH
adj. certain ...2001 UK sl.
n. ('dead cinch') a horse, etc. supposed to be certain to win; a thing sure to happen; an absolute certainty ...1927 sl.
DEAD CLEAR TO YOUR NAVEL
adj. lifeless ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
DEAD COP
n. a sure way to win, or to make money ...c1870 sporting sl.
DEAD-COPPER
n. an informer to the police ...c1920 Aust. sl.
DEAD CUNT
n. a strong term of abuse ...1990s Aust. sl.
DEAD-DEAF
adj. quite deaf ...1865 Sc.
DEAD DOG
n. a drained liquor bottle ...1918 US Navy sl.
int. a command to a dog: lie down and remain still ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAD-DOING
† adj. 'doing to death'; causing death; killing, murderous; destructive, fatal, mortal ... 1590
DEAD-DOUR
adj. utterly immovable ...Bk1900 Sc.
DEAD DROP
n. in espionage or a sophisticated criminal venture: a location where a message can be left by one party and retrieved by another ...1986 US sl.
DEAD DRUNK
adj. so drunk as to be insensible or unable to move; in a state of prostration through intoxication ...1599
DEAD DUCK
n. 1. a person or thing that has become useless, worthless, or powerless; an absolute failure ...1829 Amer. sl.
n. 2. a person lacking good prospects; a person or thing doomed to failure or disaster; one whose case is hopeless; a goner ...1944 sl.
DEAD EASY
adj. said of any woman (other than a prostitute), who is ready to go home and sleep with a man ...20C Cockneys’ colloq.
DEADEN
vb. to kill someone ...1974 Amer. dial.
DEAD END
n. in bowls: an end (a stage of play) that has to be replayed when the jack is driven out of bounds ...1990 UK
DEAD-END KID
n. a youth with no future, usually a male ...20C Amer. sl.
DEAD-END STREET
n. the female genitals ...c1930 Can.
DEADENER
n. 1. one that is stunning; a 'knockout' ...1870 Amer. sl.
n. 2. an enormous meal eaten after having been deprived of food for some time ...1927 Amer. dial.
n. 3. a bully; one who prefers to settle arguments through violence ...1930s Aust. sl.
DEADER
n. 1. a dead person; a corpse ...1853 sl.
n. 2. an utterly exhausted person ...1895 Amer. sl.
n. 3. a hearse ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEADERS
n. animal flesh, meat by-products eaten as food ...1980s W. Indies & UK Black teen sl.
DEADER THAN A DOORNAIL
adj. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEADER THAN A HERRING
adj. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEADER THAN A PELCHER
adj. quite dead ...1927 Amer. dial.
DEADER THAN A WOODEN INDIAN
adj. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEADER THAN HAY
adj. lifeless, lacking energy ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
DEADER THAN KELSEY'S NUTS
adj. very definitely dead; out of favour ...1930s US sl.
DEADEYE
n. 1. a worthless fellow; a dolt ...1849 US nautical usage
n. 2. Deady brand gin; gin ...1890 US sl.
n. 3. a skilled marksman ...1942 Amer. sl.
n. 4. the anus ...a1961 US sl., esp. nautical & prison usage
n. 5. a pure black marble ...c1970 Amer. dial.
vb. to stare at in a chilly manner ...1960s US sl.
DEAD EYE AND HORSE
n. a pie and sauce ...20C Aust. rhyming sl.
DEADEYE DICK
n. 1. an active male homosexual ...1960s Amer. gay sl.
n. 2. ('dead eye dick') a person who is an excellent shot ...1986 Aust. sl.
DEAD-EYES UNDER
adj. of a ship: listing heavily ...M19 nautical sl.
DEADFALL
n. 1. a dishonest, disreputable, vice-ridden drinking establishment ...1837 US sl.
n. 2. a Western stunt rider in motion pictures ...c1925 cinematic sl.
DEAD FETTLE
n. a lifeless condition ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD FINISH
n. the end ...1881 Aust. sl.
DEAD FINISH, THE
n. 1. the extreme point or instance of courage, cruelty, excellent, endurance, etc. ...1881 Aust. colloq.
n. 2. an excellent person; an out-and-outer ...Bk1892 Aust. sl.
DEAD FINK
n. an attractive girl ...20C Irish sl.
DEAD FISH
n. a gambler who places small bets to prolong the inevitable ...1963 US sl.
DEAD-FLESHED
adj. having a chilly sensation like dead flesh ...BK1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD FLICK
adj. very desirable ...Irish sl.
DEADFOOT
n. a slow vehicle ...1976 US sl.
DEAD FOR
adj. in desperate need of ...1876 Amer. sl.
DEAD FOR ADO
adj. dead and done with ...16C colloq.
DEAD FOR SLEEP
adj. deadly in need of sleep ...1957 Amer. dial.
DEAD FROM THE HOOFS UP
adj. inattentive; absent-minded ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEAD FROM THE NECK BOTH WAYS
adj. exceedingly stupid ...1924 Amer. sl.
DEAD FROM THE NECK UP
adj. 1. exceedingly stupid; brainless; habitually tongue-tied ...1911 sl.
adj. 2. inattentive; absent-minded ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
adj. 3. no longer open to new ideas ...20C Amer. sl.
DEAD FROST
n. a fiasco, a complete failure ...c1875 theatrical sl.
DEAD GAFF
n. a premises with no-one in ...1955 UK sl.
DEAD-GAME
adj. dissolute, ostentatious ...L19 US college sl.
DEAD-GARTH
n. the burying ground ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD GIVE-AWAY
n. 1. a notable indication, or betrayal of guilt, or defect; a completely betrayal ...1882 US colloq.
n. 2. a swindle, a deception ...L19 sl., orig. US
DEAD GROTTY
adj. nasty ...1984 Amer. sl.
DEAD HAND
n. 1. an expert ...19C sl.
n. 2. in poker: any hand held by a player who has bet all of his chips or money on the hand ...1947 US sl.
DEADHEAD
adj. 1. useless; non-participant ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. non-paying ...1892 Amer. dial.
adv. 1. for free ...M19 sl.
adv. 2. of a cab, aeroplane, etc.: being driven without its usual load or passengers ...1920s sl.
n. 1. one who receives goods or services without paying; a person travelling or receiving admission to games, theatres, etc. without charge ...1841 Amer. dial.
n. 2. a non-participant, one who does not contribute ...M19 sl.
n. 3. one who stands about a bar to drink at the expense of others ...Bk1892 Aust. sl.
n. 4. a bottle of wine or spirits that has been emptied ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. 5. a member of a football or cricket team called upon to play at a pinch ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. 6. a dull and ineffectual person; a lifeless or boring person ...1907 sl.
n. 7. a cheat ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
n. 8. a drunk person ...1930s US Black sl.
n. 9. a stupid person ...1930s US Black sl.
n. 10. a railroad car or engine being pulled empty ...1938 Amer. dial.
n. 11. an old ox ...c1940 Amer. dial.
n. 12. a pilot, flight attendant, etc., travelling on a plane as a passenger ...20C Aust. sl.
n. 13. a lazy, worthless person or animal; an idler, a loafer; a term of disparagement ...1965 Amer. dial.
n. 14. a very inexperienced person ...1965 Amer. dial.
n. 15. a person who doesn't pay his bills ...1965 Amer. dial.
n. 16. an old man ...1965 Amer. dial.
n. 17. a follower of the Grateful Dead, a band strongly associated with psychedelic drugs, seen by many to epitomise the hippie ideal ...1972 US sl.
n. 18. a person given a ticket or tickets for having performed minor services in a theatrical production ...1973 US sl.
n. 19. a non-playing observer of gambling ...1974 US sl.
n. 20. a young person, preaching a philosophy of 'love and peace', backed by a wide spectrum of drug usage, esp. of cannabis and hallucinogens; a hippie, esp. a devotee of a 'back to nature' lifestyle ...1980s sl.
n. 21. a state of non-communication ...2000s sl.
vb. 1. to obtain goods, services, transportation, admission, etc. without paying; to sponge; to allow someone to do the same ...1855 Amer. dial.
vb. 2. in trucking: to drive a return trip without a load ...1951 Amer. dial.
vb. 3. to drive a cab, aeroplane, etc. without its usual load or passengers ...1920s sl.
vb. 4. to work at a useless job ...1958 Amer. dial.
vb. 5. to coast in a car with a depleted petrol supply ...1976 US sl.
vb. 6. to discourage ...2001 UK sl.
vb. 7. to ignore ...2002 UK sl.
DEAD-HEADED
adj. 1. useless; non-participant ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. inattentive; absent-minded ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEAD HEART
n. the arid inland regions of Australia ...1906 Aust. sl.
DEAD-HEARTED
adj. dead in feeling, callous, insensible ...1642
DEAD HEAT
n. a necktie ...1980s Aust. sl.
DEAD-HOLE
n. a grave ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD HORSE
n. 1. a debt for wages paid in advance which must be worked off ...1832 Amer. dial.
n. 2. a debt of any kind ...1854 Amer. dial.
n. 3. work that doesn't pay but must be done ...M19 sl.
n. 4. tomato sauce ...1966 Aust. rhyming sl.
n. 5. stew ...20C sl.
DEAD HORSES
n. shooting stars ...Bk1892 W. Indian sl.
DEAD HOUR OF NIGHT, THE
n. midnight ...1870 Sc.
DEAD-HOUSE
n. 1. a grave ...1844 Eng. dial.
n. 2. a building or room in which dead bodies are kept for a time; a mortuary ...1833
n. 3. a room in an outback public house set aside for those who are incapably drunk ...M19 Aust. sl.
n. 4. a particularly unappealing bar or saloon ...L19 US sl.
n. 5. a funeral parlour ...1965 Barbados sl.
DEADIE
n. a dead person ...1970s sl.
DEAD-ILL
adj. sick with a mortal malady ...1897 Sc.
n. a mortal illness ...1822 Sc.
DEAD INDIAN
n. an empty bottle ...1960s US sl.
DEAD IN THE SHELL
adj. utterly worn out ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
DEADISH
* adj. somewhat dead ...a1450
DEAD-KIST
n. a coffin ...1878 Sc.
DEAD-KNOWLEDGE
n. deceitfulness, cunning ...Bk1900 Ireland
DEAD-KNOWLEDGE MAN
n. a cunning or deceitful man ...1900s Aust. sl.
DEADLEG
n. 1. a feeble, lazy, or disappointing person ...1950s Brit. sl.
n. 2. a down-and-out, a failure ...1960s sl.
n. 3. a numb feeling in the leg following a kneeing in the thigh by an attacker ...Brit. sl.
n. 4. a useless person ...2003 UK sl.
vb. to knee someone in the thigh, thus causing a numb feeling in the leg ...Brit. sl.
DEAD LETTER PERFECT
adj. of an actor: absolutely certain of your lines ...1952 UK sl.
DEAD-LEVEL BEST
n. the best of one's abilities; utmost ...1956 Amer. dial.
DEAD LICE ARE DROPPING OFF
phr. used for describing someone who is very slow-moving or lazy ...1960 US sl.
DEAD LICE ARE FALLING OFF
phr. used for describing someone who is very slow-moving or lazy ...1960 US sl.
DEAD LIFT
n. a position in which one can do no more, an extremity; a difficulty without assistance ...1567 now arch. or Eng. dial.
DEADLIGHTS
n. the eyes ...19C sl.
DEADLIHEAD
†* n. dead condition; the state of the dead ...1612
DEADLIHOOD
†* n. dead condition; the state of the dead ...1659
DEADLILY
* adv. in a deadly manner; mortally, fatally; excessively ...1621
DEADLINE
n. 1. in marbles: the line toward which the players roll their marbles before beginning a game to determine the order of shooting ...1890 Amer. dial.
n. 2. the red-light area of a town or city ...L19 US sl.
n. 3. ('dead line") in prison: a line the crossing of which will bring gun fire from the guards ...1962 US sl.
vb. to remove from action for repairs ...1991 US Vietnam war usage
DEADLINED
adj. of a vehicle: laid up for repairs ...World War II Amer. sl.
DEADLINESS
† n. the condition of being subject to death; mortality ...a1225
DEAD-LIVERED
adj. dead-alive; stupid, dull, sluggish ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD LOAD
n. a great quantity of anything ...1869 Amer. sl.
DEAD LOADS
n. a great quantity; many ...1869 Amer. sl.
DEAD-LOCK
n. 1. a lock the key of which is lost ...1887 Eng. dial.
n. 2. (usually as 'deadlock) a 'lock' hospital, a hospital for venereal disease ...L19 sl.
n. 3. (usually as 'deadlock') solitary confinement, forfeiture of privileges ...1930s US prison sl.
DEADLOCKER
n. one who is in solitary confinement or deprived of privileges ...1940s US prison sl.
DEAD LOSS
adj. useless, unsuccessful, unprofitable ...1920s sl.
n. 1. an absolutely useless person, idea, or undertaking; a useless, unworkable object; a complete failure; an absolute waste of time or money ...1927 sl., orig. Royal Air Force
n. 2. a boss ...1992 UK rhyming sl.
DEAD-LOWN
adj. of the atmosphere: quite still ...1820 Sc.
DEAD LURK
n. 1. breaking into houses while the occupiers are at church ...M19 UK criminals' sl.
n. 2. empty premises ...M19 sl.
vb. (as dead-lurk') to break into a house when the occupants are away, esp. when they are at church on a Sunday ...L19 UK criminals' sl.
DEAD LURKER
n. a thief specializing in theft from quiet or semi-dark places ...M19 UK criminals' sl.
DEADLY
† adj. 1. subject to death, mortal ...c1000
†* adj. 2. without life, inanimate ...a1225
† adj. 3. in danger of death; likely to die ...a1300
excessive, terrible, awful, very bad, utterly unpleasant ...1660 colloq.
adj. 5. very boring ...1955 US sl.
adj. 6. excellent; fantastic; brilliant; cool ...1960s sl.
† adv. 1. in a way that causes death; mortally, fatally, to death ...c1050
adv. 2. excessively, exceedingly, extremely, very ...1688
† n. a mortal; usually as plural: mortals, human beings ...c1450
DEADLY EMBRACE
n. in computing: the condition resulting when two processes cannot proceed because each is waiting for another to do something ...1981 US sl.
DEADLY-LIVELY
adj. combining dullness and liveliness; lively in a gloomy and depressing way ...1838 colloq.
DEADLY NEVERGREEN
n. the gallows ...L18 sl.
DEADLY NIGHTSHADE
n. a prostitute; a very low prostitute ...19C Brit. sl.
DEADLY TREADLY
n. a bicycle ...2003 Aust. sl., rhyming elaboration of 'treadly' with the suggestion that it is risky to ride
DEADM - DEADZ
DEAD MAN
n. 1. a baker; 'properly speaking, it is an extra loaf smuggled into the basket by the man who carries it out, to the loss of the master ...1764 sl.
n. 2. empty liquor bottle ...L18 cant
n. 3. the inedible gills of a crab ...1899 Amer. dial.
n. 4. a scarecrow, esp. when made in the traditional manner of old clothes stuffed with straw ...L19 sl.
n. 5. a weekly insurance collector ...1930s Irish sl.
n. 6. a $1 bill ...1940s US sl.
n. 7. any large object used as an anchor for hawsers, guy-ropes, etc. ...1980s NZ sl.
DEADMAN CHOPPERS
n. false teeth ...1966 Amer. dial.
DEAD MAN'S ARM
n. a steamed roll pudding ...1985 NZ sl.
DEAD MAN'S EARS
n. stewed dried apricots ...1992 NZ sl.
DEADMAN'S FINGERS
n. the gills or lungs of a crab, considered poisonous ...1880s US Black sl.
DEADMAN'S FLOAT
n. the faking of a drowned person effected by floating face down in the water ...20C Aust. sl.
DEAD MAN'S HAND
n. 1. a poker hand of mixed aces and 8s, or jacks and (red) 7s or 8s ...1888 US sl.
n. 2. bad luck ...1960s sl.
DEAD MAN'S HEAD
† n. 1. a skull, or figure of a skull ...1557
n. 2. a spherical plum pudding ...1994 NZ sl.
DEAD MAN'S LEG
n. meat-loaf ...1980s Aust. sl.
DEAD MAN'S PINCHES
n. small discoloured marks on the skin; black and blue spots on one's skin that one cannot account for ...1883 Ireland & Amer. dial.
DEAD MAN'S PLUNGE
n. a mode of throwing a stone into water in such a way that is makes no splash ...Bk1900 Ireland
DEAD MAN'S PULL-UPS
n. an exercise in which a person hangs with their arms extended from a bar, lifts their chin over the bar, and then lowers themself to the full arm-extended position ...1996 sl.
DEAD MAN'S ROUNDS
n. ammunition held pointed toward the bearer ...1991 US sl.
DEAD MAN'S SHOES
n. anything that one would rather not have to experience but that cannot really be avoided ...20C US Black sl.
DEAD MAN'S WAGON
n. a hearse ...1954 Amer. dial.
DEAD MAN'S ZONE
n. a demilitarized zone ...1984 US sl.
DEADMAN TEETH
n. false teeth ...1966 Amer. dial.
DEAD-MAN WALKING
n. someone whose life is under threat ...Irish sl.
DEAD MARINE
n. a bottle which had contained beer, whisky, etc., but is now empty ...1831 sl.
DEAD MARINE ZONE
n. a demilitarized zone ...1984 US sl.
DEAD MEAT
n. 1. a corpse ...19C colloq.
n. 2. a person who is facing certain death ...M19 sl.
n. 3. a prostitute, esp. an older woman ...L19 sl.
n. 4. a horse that has no chance of winning a race ...20C sl.
n. 5. the flaccid penis ...1960s sl.
n. 6. used for expressing a very high degree of trouble; orig. applied only in situations where death was certain, but then softened to include lesser consequences ...1974 US sl.
n. 7. a dull, stupid person ...1980s sl.
DEAD-MEAT TICKET
n. an identity tag ...1910s Aust. & NZ sl.
DEAD MEN
n. empty bottles, at a drinking-bout, etc. ...a1700 colloq.
DEAD MEN'S BELLS
n. the foxglove ...1848 Sc.
DEAD MEN'S FINGERS
n. the inedible gills of a crab ...1899 Amer. dial.
DEAD MONEY
n. 1. obviously counterfeit paper money ...1956 US sl.
n. 2. in poker: money bet by a player who has withdrawn from a hand ...1992 US sl.
DEAD NAIL
n. 1. a gambler who cheats and/or refuses to pay his losses ...E19 sl.
n. 2. a shrewd, imposing criminal; a person of an over-reaching, imposing disposition ...E19 sl.
DEAD-NAP
n. a cheat; a downright rogue; an absolute villain ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD NARK
n. 1. a spoilsport ...20C Aust. sl.
n. 2. a very bad temper ...20C Aust. sl.
DEADNECK
n. a very stupid person ...1910s sl.
DEADNER
n. a blow, a thump ...2003 Ireland sl.
DEAD NIP
n. 1. an unimportant project that turns out to be a failure ...L19 sl.
n. 2. a complete swindle ...Bk1900 Sc.
DEAD-NOSED
adj. puny-faced with a lifeless expression ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD NUMBER
n. the last house in a row or street; the end of a street ...L19 sl.
DEAD-NUTS
adv. completely, absolutely, keenly for or against something ...1887 US sl.
DEAD NUTS, THE
n. the truth; a certainty ...1970s sl.
DEAD NUTS ON
adj. very fond of ...Bk1892 Aust. sl.
DEADO
adj. 1. very drunk ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. dead ...L19 sl.
adj. 3. as if dead ...1900s sl.
adj. 4. deep asleep; unconscious ...1984 UK sl.
n. a corpse ...1919 US sl.
DEADOH
adj. 1. very drunk ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. dead ...L19 sl.
adj. 3. as if dead ...1900s sl.
adj. 4. ('dead-oh') deep asleep; unconscious ...1984 UK sl.
DEAD ON
adj. 1. very fond of; determined to do something ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. exactly right; correct ...1888 US sl.
adj. 3. dealing very strictly and severely with a situation or person ...L19 sl., orig. US
adj. 4. very good at dealing with ...L19 sl., orig. US
DEAD ON ARRIVAL
n. 1. phencyclidine ...1993 US sl.
n. 2. heroin ...1998 UK sl.
DEAD ONE
n. 1. a horse that seems not to have been raced to its full capacity ...M19 sl.
n. 2. a fool ...L19 US sl.
n. 3. a useless, unsociable, impoverished, or mean person ...L19 US sl.
n. 4. someone or something that is doomed, on the verge of death or actually dead ...1900s US sl.
n. 5. a reformed or retired tramp or criminal ...1900s US criminals' sl.
n. 6. a drunkard ...1930s US tramps' sl.
n. 7. a $1 bill ...1940s US sl.
DEAD ON ONE'S FEET
adj. tired to exhaustion ...c1890 Amer. sl.
DEAD OODLES
n. a great quantity ...1869 Amer. sl.
DEAD OODLINS
n. a very great quantity ...1895 Amer. dial.
DEAD OOGENS
n. a great quantity; many ...1905 Amer. dial.
DEADPAN
adj. without expression; displaying no emotion ...1928 US sl.
adv. in an expressionless, emotionless manner ...1930s US sl.
n. a complete lack of facial emotion; an expressionless stare ...1927 US sl.
vb. to speak without expression, esp. in a situation that would normally demand some emotion ...1930s sl., orig. US
DEAD PAY
† n. pay continued to a soldier, etc. no longer in active service; a soldier receiving such pay ...1585
DEADPICKER
n. 1. one who robs passed-out drunks ...1930s US tramps' sl.
n. 2. a term of abuse ...1930s US sl.
DEAD-PIG
n. a thing thoroughly settled ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD PIGEON
n. 1. one who has been caught breaking a rule or committing a crime ...1910s US prison sl.
n. 2. a guaranteed and absolute failure; often in context of a forthcoming election ...1910s US sl.
n. 3. a person who is destined to lose ...1919 US sl.
n. 4. a criminal enterprise, a double-crosser ...1964 US sl.
DEAD PONY GAFF
n. of circus and fairgrounds: a bad site ...1961 UK travelling showmen's usage
DEAD PORK
n. a corpse ...1920s US tramps' sl.
DEAD PRESIDENT
n. a $1 bill ...1940s US sl.
DEAD PRESIDENTS
n. US currency notes of any dollar denomination; hence, money ...1944 US sl.
DEAD PUDDING
n. something easy ...L19 US college sl.
DEAD QUIET
n. absolute secrecy ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEAD RABBIT
n. 1. a very athletic rowdy fellow ...1859 Amer. sl.
n. 2. a street thug, a hoodlum ...M19 US sl.
n. 3. a hopeless person, one who has absolutely no chance ...1900s sl.
n. 4. anything which has become worthless ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 5. the penis in a flaccid state ...1964 US sl.
DEAD RAG
n. a dead gang member ...1980s US Black gang usage
DEAD RECRUIT
n. an empty bottle ...20C sl.
DEAD RING
n. an exact likeness ...1915 Aust. sl.
DEAD RINGER
n. an exact likeness ...1891 US sl.
DEAD-RIGHT
adj. unassailable ...20C US sl.
DEAD ROAD
n. MDMA ...2003 UK sl.
DEAD ROTTEN
adj. unpleasant; disagreeable ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEAD-RUN
adj. weary in the extreme ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEADS
adj. heavily intoxicated with alcohol ...E20 Brit. navy sl.
n. remnants or remains in general ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD-SET
adj. 1. fully committed; determined ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. quite true ...20C Aust. sl.
adj. 3. superlative, in both positive and negative uses ...1940s Aust. & US sl.
adj. 4. complete, utter ...1965 Aust. sl.
adv. 1. completely, utterly ...1947 Aust. sl.
adv. 2. definitely, certainly ...1970s Aust. sl.
adv. 3. really; honestly ...1987 Aust. sl.
n. (usually as 'dead set')
n. 1. a scheme aimed at defrauding a victim through crooked gambling ...18C UK criminals' sl.
n. 2. a pointed attack on or approach to another person, often in the context of wooing ...L18 sl.
n. 3. a complete failure to learn and recite the lesson ...19C US college sl.
int. an exclamation of affirmation ...1970s Aust. sl.
DEAD SET AGAINST
adj. totally hostile towards ...E19 sl.
DEAD SET ON
adj. fascinated by, obsessed with, in love with, determined ...L19 sl.
DEADSHIT
n. 1. a despicable person ...1961 Aust. sl.
n. 2. a term of abuse ...1980s Aust. sl.
DEAD SHOT
n. 1. very poor-quality or adulterated whisky ...M19 US sl.
n. 2. sexual intercourse, whether vaginal or anal ...1970s US Black sl.
DEAD SKIN
n. the white inner peel of an orange ...1982 Bahamas
DEAD-SLAYER
† n. one guilty of manslaughter ...1535
DEAD SLED
n. in the used car business: a car in extremely poor condition ...1997 US sl.
DEAD SLOW
adv. slowly ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEAD SOLDIER
n. 1. an empty alcohol bottle or beer can ...1899 US sl.
n. 2. a formed lump of excrement ...20C sl.
n. 3. a concrete or cement block buried in the ground and used to support a pole, as for a clothesline ...1968 Amer. dial.
DEAD SOLDIERS
n. worthless money ...1968 Amer. dial.
DEAD SPIT
n. an exact likeness; said of another person (often a relative) ...1901 UK sl.
DEAD SPOTTED LING OF
n. the absolute image of ...1930s Aust. rhyming sl. for 'dead ring of'
DEAD-STARK
adj. as stiff as a corpse ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD-STARVED
adj. cold as death, so cold as to have lost the use of one's limbs ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD-STICK
adj. of landing an aircraft: without engine function ...1999 US sl.
vb. to land an aircraft without engine function ...1962 US sl.
DEAD STOCK
n. a non-event ...1990s W. Indies sl.
DEAD-SWEER
adj. lazy, indolent, unwilling; undecided ...1721 Sc.
DEAD THICK
adj. very clever ...L19 Sc. sl.
DEAD THREADS
n. in the language surrounding the Grateful Dead: the layers of clothes worn by a concert-goer ...1994 US sl.
DEAD TIME
n. 1. any period of one's prison sentence when one is prohibited from associating with other prisoners ...1970s US prison sl.
n. 2. time served in jail which does not cont towards fulfilment of the prisoner's sentence ...1973 US sl.
DEAD TIME OF YEAR, THE
n. mid-winter ...Bk1900 Sc.
DEAD TO RIGHTS
adv. certain, sure ...M19 sl.
phr. said of a criminal who is caught red-handed ...1859 Brit. sl.
DEAD TO SHAME
adj. no longer capable of feeling shame; grown hardened to shame
DEAD TO THE CURB
adv. completely, utterly, comprehensively ...1950s US Black sl.
DEAD-TO-THE-NECK
adj. exceedingly stupid ...1952 Amer. sl.
DEAD TO THE PAN
adj. in horse racing, of a horse: likely to win ...20C sl.
DEAD TO THE WIDE WORLD
adj. 1. completely drunk ...20C sl.
adj. 2. utterly and completely exhausted; very deeply asleep or unconscious ...20C sl., orig. US
adj. 3. unconscious of one's surroundings, lost in a dream, day-dreaming ...20C sl., orig. US
DEAD TO THE WORLD
adj. 1. completely drunk ...20C sl., orig. US
adj. 2. utterly and completely exhausted; very deeply asleep or unconscious ...1899 sl.
adj. 3. unconscious of one's surroundings, lost in a dream, day-dreaming; inattentive, absent-minded ...20C sl., orig. US
DEAD TREE FORMAT
n. paper on which computer output is printed ...1990s UK sl.
DEAD TROUBLE
n. an extremely difficult situation; deep trouble ...1971 UK sl.
DEAD TUMBLE
n. a discovery or arrest of someone found in the act of committing a crime ...1930s US criminals' sl.
DEAD TURKEY
n. a hopeless person; a person or thing that has absolutely no chance ...1940s sl.
DEAD 'UN
n. 1. a racehorse deliberately ridden to lose ...1877 Aust. sl.
n. 2. a bankrupt company ...L19 sl.
n. 3. an uninhabited house; unoccupied premises ...L19 UK criminals' sl.
n. 4. a half-quartern loaf ...L19 sl.
n. 5. an empty bottle ...20C sl.
DEAD WAGON
n. a vehicle used for transporting the dead; a hearse; sometimes also an ambulance ...1894 Amer. dial.
DEAD WHITEBOY
n. a dollar bill of any denomination ...1990s US Black sl.
DEAD-WIND
n. a calm ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEADWOOD
adj. absolute, complete, unequivocal ...M19 US sl.
n. 1. a coffin ...M19 US sl.
n. 2. an incompetent or otherwise useless person ...1887 US sl.
n. 3. an advantage or control over someone, the thing a member of the underworld fears most, usually arrest or being caught in the act ...L19 US criminals' sl.
n. 4. in bowling: pins that have been knocked down but remain on the alley or in the gutter ...20C sl.
n. 5. unsold tickets for a performance ...1934 US sl.
n. 6. non-playing observers of gambling ...1974 US sl.
n. 7. a person caught outright committing a crime ...1992 US sl.
n. 8. a flaccid penis ...1995 US sl.
DEAD-WOOD EARNEST
adj. quite earnest ...B1900 Amer. dial.
DEAD WOWSERS
n. trousers ...20C Aust. rhyming sl.
DEADY
n. gin, or a particular quality of gin ...1819 sl.
DEAD YARD
n. a ceremony after burial in the deceased's yard ...2003 Jamaica
n. 1. a baker; 'properly speaking, it is an extra loaf smuggled into the basket by the man who carries it out, to the loss of the master ...1764 sl.
n. 2. empty liquor bottle ...L18 cant
n. 3. the inedible gills of a crab ...1899 Amer. dial.
n. 4. a scarecrow, esp. when made in the traditional manner of old clothes stuffed with straw ...L19 sl.
n. 5. a weekly insurance collector ...1930s Irish sl.
n. 6. a $1 bill ...1940s US sl.
n. 7. any large object used as an anchor for hawsers, guy-ropes, etc. ...1980s NZ sl.
DEADMAN CHOPPERS
n. false teeth ...1966 Amer. dial.
DEAD MAN'S ARM
n. a steamed roll pudding ...1985 NZ sl.
DEAD MAN'S EARS
n. stewed dried apricots ...1992 NZ sl.
DEADMAN'S FINGERS
n. the gills or lungs of a crab, considered poisonous ...1880s US Black sl.
DEADMAN'S FLOAT
n. the faking of a drowned person effected by floating face down in the water ...20C Aust. sl.
DEAD MAN'S HAND
n. 1. a poker hand of mixed aces and 8s, or jacks and (red) 7s or 8s ...1888 US sl.
n. 2. bad luck ...1960s sl.
DEAD MAN'S HEAD
† n. 1. a skull, or figure of a skull ...1557
n. 2. a spherical plum pudding ...1994 NZ sl.
DEAD MAN'S LEG
n. meat-loaf ...1980s Aust. sl.
DEAD MAN'S PINCHES
n. small discoloured marks on the skin; black and blue spots on one's skin that one cannot account for ...1883 Ireland & Amer. dial.
DEAD MAN'S PLUNGE
n. a mode of throwing a stone into water in such a way that is makes no splash ...Bk1900 Ireland
DEAD MAN'S PULL-UPS
n. an exercise in which a person hangs with their arms extended from a bar, lifts their chin over the bar, and then lowers themself to the full arm-extended position ...1996 sl.
DEAD MAN'S ROUNDS
n. ammunition held pointed toward the bearer ...1991 US sl.
DEAD MAN'S SHOES
n. anything that one would rather not have to experience but that cannot really be avoided ...20C US Black sl.
DEAD MAN'S WAGON
n. a hearse ...1954 Amer. dial.
DEAD MAN'S ZONE
n. a demilitarized zone ...1984 US sl.
DEADMAN TEETH
n. false teeth ...1966 Amer. dial.
DEAD-MAN WALKING
n. someone whose life is under threat ...Irish sl.
DEAD MARINE
n. a bottle which had contained beer, whisky, etc., but is now empty ...1831 sl.
DEAD MARINE ZONE
n. a demilitarized zone ...1984 US sl.
DEAD MEAT
n. 1. a corpse ...19C colloq.
n. 2. a person who is facing certain death ...M19 sl.
n. 3. a prostitute, esp. an older woman ...L19 sl.
n. 4. a horse that has no chance of winning a race ...20C sl.
n. 5. the flaccid penis ...1960s sl.
n. 6. used for expressing a very high degree of trouble; orig. applied only in situations where death was certain, but then softened to include lesser consequences ...1974 US sl.
n. 7. a dull, stupid person ...1980s sl.
DEAD-MEAT TICKET
n. an identity tag ...1910s Aust. & NZ sl.
DEAD MEN
n. empty bottles, at a drinking-bout, etc. ...a1700 colloq.
DEAD MEN'S BELLS
n. the foxglove ...1848 Sc.
DEAD MEN'S FINGERS
n. the inedible gills of a crab ...1899 Amer. dial.
DEAD MONEY
n. 1. obviously counterfeit paper money ...1956 US sl.
n. 2. in poker: money bet by a player who has withdrawn from a hand ...1992 US sl.
DEAD NAIL
n. 1. a gambler who cheats and/or refuses to pay his losses ...E19 sl.
n. 2. a shrewd, imposing criminal; a person of an over-reaching, imposing disposition ...E19 sl.
DEAD-NAP
n. a cheat; a downright rogue; an absolute villain ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD NARK
n. 1. a spoilsport ...20C Aust. sl.
n. 2. a very bad temper ...20C Aust. sl.
DEADNECK
n. a very stupid person ...1910s sl.
DEADNER
n. a blow, a thump ...2003 Ireland sl.
DEAD NIP
n. 1. an unimportant project that turns out to be a failure ...L19 sl.
n. 2. a complete swindle ...Bk1900 Sc.
DEAD-NOSED
adj. puny-faced with a lifeless expression ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD NUMBER
n. the last house in a row or street; the end of a street ...L19 sl.
DEAD-NUTS
adv. completely, absolutely, keenly for or against something ...1887 US sl.
DEAD NUTS, THE
n. the truth; a certainty ...1970s sl.
DEAD NUTS ON
adj. very fond of ...Bk1892 Aust. sl.
DEADO
adj. 1. very drunk ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. dead ...L19 sl.
adj. 3. as if dead ...1900s sl.
adj. 4. deep asleep; unconscious ...1984 UK sl.
n. a corpse ...1919 US sl.
DEADOH
adj. 1. very drunk ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. dead ...L19 sl.
adj. 3. as if dead ...1900s sl.
adj. 4. ('dead-oh') deep asleep; unconscious ...1984 UK sl.
DEAD ON
adj. 1. very fond of; determined to do something ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. exactly right; correct ...1888 US sl.
adj. 3. dealing very strictly and severely with a situation or person ...L19 sl., orig. US
adj. 4. very good at dealing with ...L19 sl., orig. US
DEAD ON ARRIVAL
n. 1. phencyclidine ...1993 US sl.
n. 2. heroin ...1998 UK sl.
DEAD ONE
n. 1. a horse that seems not to have been raced to its full capacity ...M19 sl.
n. 2. a fool ...L19 US sl.
n. 3. a useless, unsociable, impoverished, or mean person ...L19 US sl.
n. 4. someone or something that is doomed, on the verge of death or actually dead ...1900s US sl.
n. 5. a reformed or retired tramp or criminal ...1900s US criminals' sl.
n. 6. a drunkard ...1930s US tramps' sl.
n. 7. a $1 bill ...1940s US sl.
DEAD ON ONE'S FEET
adj. tired to exhaustion ...c1890 Amer. sl.
DEAD OODLES
n. a great quantity ...1869 Amer. sl.
DEAD OODLINS
n. a very great quantity ...1895 Amer. dial.
DEAD OOGENS
n. a great quantity; many ...1905 Amer. dial.
DEADPAN
adj. without expression; displaying no emotion ...1928 US sl.
adv. in an expressionless, emotionless manner ...1930s US sl.
n. a complete lack of facial emotion; an expressionless stare ...1927 US sl.
vb. to speak without expression, esp. in a situation that would normally demand some emotion ...1930s sl., orig. US
DEAD PAY
† n. pay continued to a soldier, etc. no longer in active service; a soldier receiving such pay ...1585
DEADPICKER
n. 1. one who robs passed-out drunks ...1930s US tramps' sl.
n. 2. a term of abuse ...1930s US sl.
DEAD-PIG
n. a thing thoroughly settled ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD PIGEON
n. 1. one who has been caught breaking a rule or committing a crime ...1910s US prison sl.
n. 2. a guaranteed and absolute failure; often in context of a forthcoming election ...1910s US sl.
n. 3. a person who is destined to lose ...1919 US sl.
n. 4. a criminal enterprise, a double-crosser ...1964 US sl.
DEAD PONY GAFF
n. of circus and fairgrounds: a bad site ...1961 UK travelling showmen's usage
DEAD PORK
n. a corpse ...1920s US tramps' sl.
DEAD PRESIDENT
n. a $1 bill ...1940s US sl.
DEAD PRESIDENTS
n. US currency notes of any dollar denomination; hence, money ...1944 US sl.
DEAD PUDDING
n. something easy ...L19 US college sl.
DEAD QUIET
n. absolute secrecy ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEAD RABBIT
n. 1. a very athletic rowdy fellow ...1859 Amer. sl.
n. 2. a street thug, a hoodlum ...M19 US sl.
n. 3. a hopeless person, one who has absolutely no chance ...1900s sl.
n. 4. anything which has become worthless ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 5. the penis in a flaccid state ...1964 US sl.
DEAD RAG
n. a dead gang member ...1980s US Black gang usage
DEAD RECRUIT
n. an empty bottle ...20C sl.
DEAD RING
n. an exact likeness ...1915 Aust. sl.
DEAD RINGER
n. an exact likeness ...1891 US sl.
DEAD-RIGHT
adj. unassailable ...20C US sl.
DEAD ROAD
n. MDMA ...2003 UK sl.
DEAD ROTTEN
adj. unpleasant; disagreeable ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEAD-RUN
adj. weary in the extreme ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEADS
adj. heavily intoxicated with alcohol ...E20 Brit. navy sl.
n. remnants or remains in general ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD-SET
adj. 1. fully committed; determined ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. quite true ...20C Aust. sl.
adj. 3. superlative, in both positive and negative uses ...1940s Aust. & US sl.
adj. 4. complete, utter ...1965 Aust. sl.
adv. 1. completely, utterly ...1947 Aust. sl.
adv. 2. definitely, certainly ...1970s Aust. sl.
adv. 3. really; honestly ...1987 Aust. sl.
n. (usually as 'dead set')
n. 1. a scheme aimed at defrauding a victim through crooked gambling ...18C UK criminals' sl.
n. 2. a pointed attack on or approach to another person, often in the context of wooing ...L18 sl.
n. 3. a complete failure to learn and recite the lesson ...19C US college sl.
int. an exclamation of affirmation ...1970s Aust. sl.
DEAD SET AGAINST
adj. totally hostile towards ...E19 sl.
DEAD SET ON
adj. fascinated by, obsessed with, in love with, determined ...L19 sl.
DEADSHIT
n. 1. a despicable person ...1961 Aust. sl.
n. 2. a term of abuse ...1980s Aust. sl.
DEAD SHOT
n. 1. very poor-quality or adulterated whisky ...M19 US sl.
n. 2. sexual intercourse, whether vaginal or anal ...1970s US Black sl.
DEAD SKIN
n. the white inner peel of an orange ...1982 Bahamas
DEAD-SLAYER
† n. one guilty of manslaughter ...1535
DEAD SLED
n. in the used car business: a car in extremely poor condition ...1997 US sl.
DEAD SLOW
adv. slowly ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEAD SOLDIER
n. 1. an empty alcohol bottle or beer can ...1899 US sl.
n. 2. a formed lump of excrement ...20C sl.
n. 3. a concrete or cement block buried in the ground and used to support a pole, as for a clothesline ...1968 Amer. dial.
DEAD SOLDIERS
n. worthless money ...1968 Amer. dial.
DEAD SPIT
n. an exact likeness; said of another person (often a relative) ...1901 UK sl.
DEAD SPOTTED LING OF
n. the absolute image of ...1930s Aust. rhyming sl. for 'dead ring of'
DEAD-STARK
adj. as stiff as a corpse ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD-STARVED
adj. cold as death, so cold as to have lost the use of one's limbs ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAD-STICK
adj. of landing an aircraft: without engine function ...1999 US sl.
vb. to land an aircraft without engine function ...1962 US sl.
DEAD STOCK
n. a non-event ...1990s W. Indies sl.
DEAD-SWEER
adj. lazy, indolent, unwilling; undecided ...1721 Sc.
DEAD THICK
adj. very clever ...L19 Sc. sl.
DEAD THREADS
n. in the language surrounding the Grateful Dead: the layers of clothes worn by a concert-goer ...1994 US sl.
DEAD TIME
n. 1. any period of one's prison sentence when one is prohibited from associating with other prisoners ...1970s US prison sl.
n. 2. time served in jail which does not cont towards fulfilment of the prisoner's sentence ...1973 US sl.
DEAD TIME OF YEAR, THE
n. mid-winter ...Bk1900 Sc.
DEAD TO RIGHTS
adv. certain, sure ...M19 sl.
phr. said of a criminal who is caught red-handed ...1859 Brit. sl.
DEAD TO SHAME
adj. no longer capable of feeling shame; grown hardened to shame
DEAD TO THE CURB
adv. completely, utterly, comprehensively ...1950s US Black sl.
DEAD-TO-THE-NECK
adj. exceedingly stupid ...1952 Amer. sl.
DEAD TO THE PAN
adj. in horse racing, of a horse: likely to win ...20C sl.
DEAD TO THE WIDE WORLD
adj. 1. completely drunk ...20C sl.
adj. 2. utterly and completely exhausted; very deeply asleep or unconscious ...20C sl., orig. US
adj. 3. unconscious of one's surroundings, lost in a dream, day-dreaming ...20C sl., orig. US
DEAD TO THE WORLD
adj. 1. completely drunk ...20C sl., orig. US
adj. 2. utterly and completely exhausted; very deeply asleep or unconscious ...1899 sl.
adj. 3. unconscious of one's surroundings, lost in a dream, day-dreaming; inattentive, absent-minded ...20C sl., orig. US
DEAD TREE FORMAT
n. paper on which computer output is printed ...1990s UK sl.
DEAD TROUBLE
n. an extremely difficult situation; deep trouble ...1971 UK sl.
DEAD TUMBLE
n. a discovery or arrest of someone found in the act of committing a crime ...1930s US criminals' sl.
DEAD TURKEY
n. a hopeless person; a person or thing that has absolutely no chance ...1940s sl.
DEAD 'UN
n. 1. a racehorse deliberately ridden to lose ...1877 Aust. sl.
n. 2. a bankrupt company ...L19 sl.
n. 3. an uninhabited house; unoccupied premises ...L19 UK criminals' sl.
n. 4. a half-quartern loaf ...L19 sl.
n. 5. an empty bottle ...20C sl.
DEAD WAGON
n. a vehicle used for transporting the dead; a hearse; sometimes also an ambulance ...1894 Amer. dial.
DEAD WHITEBOY
n. a dollar bill of any denomination ...1990s US Black sl.
DEAD-WIND
n. a calm ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEADWOOD
adj. absolute, complete, unequivocal ...M19 US sl.
n. 1. a coffin ...M19 US sl.
n. 2. an incompetent or otherwise useless person ...1887 US sl.
n. 3. an advantage or control over someone, the thing a member of the underworld fears most, usually arrest or being caught in the act ...L19 US criminals' sl.
n. 4. in bowling: pins that have been knocked down but remain on the alley or in the gutter ...20C sl.
n. 5. unsold tickets for a performance ...1934 US sl.
n. 6. non-playing observers of gambling ...1974 US sl.
n. 7. a person caught outright committing a crime ...1992 US sl.
n. 8. a flaccid penis ...1995 US sl.
DEAD-WOOD EARNEST
adj. quite earnest ...B1900 Amer. dial.
DEAD WOWSERS
n. trousers ...20C Aust. rhyming sl.
DEADY
n. gin, or a particular quality of gin ...1819 sl.
DEAD YARD
n. a ceremony after burial in the deceased's yard ...2003 Jamaica
DEAF - DEATZ
DEAF
† adj. 1. dull, stupid; absurd ...c1440
†* adj. 2. numb, without sensation ...a1500
† adj. 3. of sounds: so dull as to be hardly or indistinctly heard; muffled ...1612
DEAF AND DUMB
n. 1. inside information ...1910s Aust. rhyming sl. for 'drum'
n. 2. the buttocks, the backside; the anus ...1992 rhyming sl. for 'bum'
DEAF AS A BAT, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A BEAGLE, AS
adj. quite deaf ...Bk1899 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A BEETLE
adj. completely deaf ...1867
DEAF AS A BUM-BAILY, AS
adj. very deaf indeed ...1884 Eng. dial.
DEAF AS A CLAM
adj. very deaf ...1885 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A DOOR
adj. completely deaf ...1606
DEAF AS A DOORBELL, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A DOORKNOB, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1950 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A DOORNAIL
adj. completely deaf ...1611
DEAF AS A DOORPOST
adj. completely deaf ...1551
DEAF AS A DORMOUSE, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1950 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A FENCE POST, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A HADDIE
adj. stone deaf (haddie - haddock) ...1951 Sc.
DEAF AS A HADDOCK
adj. very deaf ...1746 Eng. dial.
DEAF AS A LOG, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1950 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A MILL POST, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A MULE, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1950 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A MUTE, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1950 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS AN ADDER
adj. completely deaf ...a1845
DEAF AS A NAIL
adj. quite deaf ...a1845
DEAF AS A POST, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1822 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A SHAD, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1836 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A STONE, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1943 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A STONE WALL, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAFEN
†* vb. to become deaf ...1680
DEAFENING
†* adj. becoming deaf ...1680
DEAFER THAN A DOORKNOB
adj. quite deaf ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAFER THAN A DOORNAIL
adj. quite deaf ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAFEY
n. a deaf beggar, or one who poses as such ...1930s US criminals' sl.
DEAFFLE
vb. to become deaf ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEAFHEAD
† n. 1. deafness ...c1350
n. 2. (as 'deaf-head') a stupid, dull fellow ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAFIE
n. a deaf person ...1972 Trinidad and Tobago
DEAFLY
adj. lonely, solitary and silent ...1611 Eng. dial.
DEAF NUT
n. something hollow, worthless, or unsubstantial ...1613
DEAFY
n. a deaf beggar, or one who poses as such ...1930s US criminals' sl.
DEAK
vb. to fight ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEAL
adv. much ...1756 UK
† n. 1. a part or division of a whole; a portion, fraction, section ...a800 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† n. 2. a part allowed or apportioned to anyone; a portion, a share, dole ...c825 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
n. 3. a quantity, a number; a great deal ...1703 Sc. & Eng. dial.
n. 4. a business transaction; a trade or a bargain ...1838 US
n. 5. the nipple, teat of a sow, cow, bitch, fox, etc. ...1845 Eng. dial.
n. 6. a litter of pigs ...1848 Eng. dial.
n. 7. an underhand or secret transaction; a trade of questionable legality; a mutually beneficial commercial or political arrangement ...1881 US sl.
n. 8. the situation, the state of affairs ...L19 sl., orig. US
n. 9. the treatment one has received, whether good or bad ...L19 sl.
n. 10. a fir tree ...B1900 Eng. dial.
n. 11. a purchase or sale of drugs, esp. cannabis ...1910s drugs sl.
n. 12. a turn of events, a development ...1920s US sl.
n. 13. a drug seller, often in his wholesale role, as opposed to the less important 'pusher' ...1920s drugs sl.
n. 14. an individual or thing ...1940s sl., orig. US
n. 15. a woman ...1960s US Black sl.
n. 16. a sports star ...1970s US Black sl.
n. 17. a small amount of marijuana or hashish ...1978 UK sl.
n. 18. a problem, a conflict ...1990s US college sl.
† vb. 1. to divide ...c950
† vb. 2. to engage with in conflict; to contend ...993
† vb. 3. to divide property, etc. among a number so that each may have his due share; to distribute in shares; to portion out, to apportion ...c1000
† vb. 4. to separate, to sever ...a1000
† vb. 5. to take part in, to share or participate in, to be a partaker of ...c1175
† vb. 6. to contend or fight about ...c1205
†* vb. 7. to offer for sale ...1760
vb. 8. to conclude a bargain of purchase or sale; to agree as to price ...1888 Eng. dial.
vb. 9. to cause trouble for, to treat harshly ...1920s US Black sl.
vb. 10. to give, to hand over ...1920s US sl.
vb. 11. to manage a situation or circumstance ...1950s sl.
vb. 12. to peddle illegal drugs ...1958 sl.
vb. 13. to have sexual intercourse with ...1960s US Black sl.
vb. 14. to supervise the blackjack game in a casino ...1980 US sl.
vb. 15. to make dates frequently ...1980s US college sl.
vb. 16. to play the active role in a homosexual couple ...1980s US prison sl.
int. an exclamation of agreement ...1980s sl.
DEAL, A
n. an undefined but considerable amount or extent ...L16 sl.
DEAL, THE
n. the very best ...1986 US sl.
DEAL-APPLE
n. a fir cone ...1819 Eng. dial.
DEAL AROUND
vb. to shop around ...1968 Amer. dial.
DEAL AROUND ME
phr. an exclamation of rejection, leave me out!, I'm not interested! ...1940s sl., orig. US Black
DEALBATE
† vb. to whiten ...1623
DEALBATION
n. the act of whitening, blanching, bleaching ...1607
DEAL DIRT
vb. to gossip; to malign ...1970s US Black sl.
DEALER
† n. 1. an agent, a negotiator ...c1000
n. 2. a wholesaler of counterfeit money ...E19 US criminals' sl.
n. 3. a drug seller, often in his wholesale role, as opposed to the less important 'pusher' ...1920s drugs sl.
DEALER'S BAND
n. an elastic band used by a drug dealer to secure or facilitate the jettisoning of drugs for sale ...1966 US sl.
DEALIE
n. 1. an individual or thing ...1940s sl., orig. US
n. 2. a thing, the correct name of which escapes or is not important to the speaker ...1997 US sl.
DEAL IN COAL
vb. 1. of a White person: to have sex with a Black person ...1922 US sl.
vb. 2. to prefer dark-skinned women ...1930s US Black sl.
DEAL IN DIRT
vb. to gossip; to malign ...1970s US Black sl.
DEALING
† n. a part, a division ...a1300
DEAL IN ZEROES
vb. to achieve nothing; to fail completely; to draw a blank ...1960s US Black sl.
DEAL IT OUT
vb. to attack, esp. verbally; to punish ...20C Aust. sl.
DEAL ME OUT!
int. an exclamation of rejection; I'm not interested! leave me out! ...1950s US sl.
DEAL OFF THE TOP
vb. to treat fairly ...1969 US sl.
DEAL OF WEATHER, A
n. heavy rain or snow ...1874 Eng. dial.
DEAL ON
vb. 1. to trick, to deceive, to take advantage ...1970s US Black sl.
vb. 2. to manage something well ...1980s US college sl.
DEAL ONE OFF THE TOP
vb. to give someone a piece of good luck ...1960s US sl.
DEAL OUT
vb. to attack, esp. verbally; to punish ...20C Aust. sl.
DEALS
n. a successful seduction ...2000s US Black sl.
DEALSEY
n. a fir cone ...1810 Eng. dial.
DEALSMAN
† n. a partner, a sharer ...1563 Sc.
DEAL SOMEONE IN
vb. to include in an undertaking, often a criminal one, to give someone a share ...1940s sl., orig. US
DEAL SOMEONE ONE
vb. 1. to attack someone; to give someone a blow or beating ...1980s NZ sl.
vb. 2. to pay someone back for an injury or slight ...1980s NZ sl.
DEAL SOMEONE OUT
vb. to exclude in an undertaking, often a criminal one, to not give someone a share ...1940s sl., orig. US
DEAL SUIT
n. a cheap coffin, as supplied by the parish, rather than purchased from an undertaker ...M19 sl.
DEALTH
† n. portion dealt ...1637 nonce word
DEAL THE BANK
vb. to settle a dispute; to come to an understanding ...B1900 Sc.
DEAL THEM OFF THE ARM
vb. to wait at tables ...1930s US sl.
DEAL TO
vb. 1. to beat up ...1980s NZ sl.
vb. 2. to treat roughly ...1980s NZ sl.
DEAL-TREE
n. a fir tree ...a1825 Eng. dial.
DEALY
n. a thing, the correct name of which escapes or is not important to the speaker ...1997 US sl.
DEAMBULATE
† vb. to walk abroad ...1623
DEAMBULATION
n. the act of walking abroad or talking a walk ...a1529
DEAMBULATOR
† n. one who walks abroad ...1630
DEAMBULATORY
adj. moving about from place to place; movable, shifting ...1607
n. a place to walk in for exercise; esp. a covered walk or cloister ...1430
DEAMBULATOUR
† n. a place to walk in for exercise; esp. a covered walk or cloister ...1513 Sc.
DE-AMPLE
† vb. to deprive of amplitude, to belittle ...1657 nonce word
DEAN
† n. 1. a head, chief, or commander of a division of ten ...1388
n. 2. a din, noise; a sound ...1691 Eng. dial.
n. 3. a deep wooded valley or dell; a valley through which a stream flows ...1846 Sc. & Eng. dial.
n. 4. a shark ...1977 Aust. sl.
n. 5. a skilled and experienced poker player ...1979 US sl.
n. 6. a police officer ...2000s US Black sl.
vb. to din, to make a noise ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEANER
n. 1. sixpence ... Bk1903 sl.
n. 2. a shilling ...1839 chiefly Aust. & NZ usage
n. 3. 10 cents, a dime ...1950s US sl.
DEAN MAITLAND
n. a silent person; one who does not talk ...1940s Aust. sl.
DEAN OF MEN
n. a prison warden ...1949 US sl.
DEAR
† adj. 1. of high estimation, of great worth or value; precious, valuable ...c888
† adj. 2. of persons: glorious, noble, honourable, worthy ...a1000
† adj. 3. brave, bold, strenuous, hardy ...a1000
adj. 4. hard, severe, heavy, grievous; dire, fell ...a1000 arch.
† adj. 5. hard, difficult ...a1225
adj. 6. keen, ardent ...1955 Amer. dial.
† n. dearness, dearth ...1297
†* vb. 1. to make dear or expensive; to raise the price of ...1424 Sc.
†* vb. 2. to endear ...1603
int. a mild register of anxiety, irritation, regret, etc. ...1694
DEAR, THE
n. God ...1940s Aust. sl.
DEAR ANVIL!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1888 Eng. dial.
DEAR AS SAFFRON, AS
adj. excessively dear, expensive ...1881 Eng. dial.
DEAR BE HERE!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1801 Sc.
DEAR BLESS YOU!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...B1900 N. Ireland
DEAR-BOUGHT
adj. bought at a high price, obtained at great cost ...c1384
DEARCH
† n. a dwarf ...c1500 Sc.
DEAR CHAPPIE
n. a term of address ...c1880
DEAR DEAR!
int. used as a mild exclamation or oath ...1849 UK
DEAR DEPARTED
n. a deceased person ...20C US euphemism
DEAREST BODILY PART
n. the vagina ...L16 sl.
DEAREST MEMBER
n. the penis ...18C Sc.
DEAR FLESH!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1875 Eng. dial.
DEAR GUSSIE!
int. a mild oath and exclamation ...20C US colloq.
DEAR HEART
n. 1. a term of endearment; chiefly used in addressing a person ...c1350
† n. 2. a boon companion ...1663
DEAR HEART A DAY!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1860 Eng. dial.
DEAR HELP YOU!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...B1900 N. Ireland
DEARIE
n. a term of endearment; a loved one; a sweetheart ...1681 sl.
DEARING
† n. a darling ...1601
DEAR JANE
n. a letter concluding a relationship ...1980s sl.
DEAR JOHN
n. a letter concluding a relationship, usually sent by the woman and received by the man, often in prison or serving in the forces ...1940s sl.
DEAR JOY
† n. a familiar appellation for an Irishman ...1688
DEAR KEEP US!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1806 Sc.
DEAR KENS!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1870 Sc. & Eng. dial.
DEAR KNOWS!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1896 Sc. & N. Ireland
DEARLING
† n. a darling, a pet, a favourite ...1715
DEAR LOVE YOU!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...B1900 N. Ireland
DEARLY
† adj. dear, beloved ...a1300
† adv. 1. in a precious, worthy, or excellent manner; worthily, choicely, finely, richly ...a1000
† adv. 2. from the heart, heartily, earnestly ...a1310
† adv. 3. carefully ...c1400
† adv. 4. deeply, keenly ...1590
adv. 5. very; exceedingly; extremely ...1896 Eng. dial.
DEARM
†* vb. to disarm ...1727
DEAR MAN!
int. an exclamation of surprise ...1903 Sc.
DEAR ME!
int. expression of surprise, annoyance, etc. ...1848 Amer. dial.
DEAR MERCY!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1859 Eng. dial.
DEAR ME SUZ!
int. a mild exclamation ...L18
DEAR OH DEAR!
int. a mild register of anxiety, irritation, regret, etc. ...1694 UK
DE-ARREST
†* vb. to release from arrest ...1791
DEAR SACK-ALIVE!
int. an exclamation ...1885 Eng. dial.
DEAR SAKES!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1871 Eng. dial.
DEAR SORES!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEAR-STALKER
n. a wealthy idler who likes to follow and/or ogle attractive shop-girls or secretaries ...1910s sl.
DEARTH
†* n. 1. glory, splendour ...c1325
† n. 2. dearness, costliness, high price ...1632
† vb. to make dear in price; to raise the price of anything; to cause or produce a scarcity of or in anything ...c1440 obs. exc. Sc.
DEARTHER
† n. one who causes a dearth or scarcity in commodities ...1622
DEARTHFUL
† adj. costly, expensive; high in price ...1786 nonce word obs. exc. Sc.
DEARTUATE
†* vb. to dismember ...1623
DEARTUATION
†* n. dismemberment ...1653
DEARWORTH
† adj. 1. worthy of high estimation, highly valuable, precious, costly ...c888
† adj. 2. worthy, honourable, noble, glorious ...c1175
adj. 3. of persons: dearly esteemed, worthy of being loved, dear, beloved ...a1225
DEARWORTHILY
† adv. worthily, honourably; preciously, richly; affectionately ...a1300
DEARWORTHINESS
† n. preciousness, worthiness, valuableness ...c1325
DEARWORTHINESSES
† n. valuables, treasures ...c1325
DEARWORTHLY
† adv. worthily, honourably; preciously, richly; affectionately ...c1205
DEARWORTHY
† adj. 1. of persons: dearly esteemed, dear, beloved ...a1300
† adj. 2. worthy, honourable, noble, glorious ...c1374
† adj. 3. worthy of high estimation, highly valuable, precious, costly ...c1430
DEARY
adj. small, minute, little, undersized, puny ...1691 Eng. dial.
n. a term of endearment ...1681 sl.
DEARY LITTLE
adj. small, minute, little, undersized, puny ...1790 Eng. dial.
DEARY ME!
int. expression of surprise, annoyance, etc. ...1848 Amer. dial.
DEARY ME TO-DAY!
int. an exclamation of regret or surprise ...1865 Eng. dial.
DEASIE
adj. of the weather: cold, raw ...1825 Sc.
DEASIL
adv. towards the right ...1771
DEASKED
adj. besotted; stupid, bewildered ...B1900 Sc.
DEATH
adj. deaf ...1821 Eng. dial.
n. 1. an unattractive woman ...1960s US college sl.
n. 2. something excellent or outstanding ...1960s US Black sl.
n. 3. a terrible situation or event ...1980s US college sl.
vb. to be very appalling; to die for ...20C teen & high school sl.
int. 1. a vehement exclamation or imprecation ...1668
int. 2. an exclamation of approval or admiration ...1980s US college sl.
DEATH-ALIVE!
int. an expletive ...1843 Ireland
DEATH AND DAMNATION!
int. a vehement exclamation or imprecation ...1604
DEATH AND FURIES!
int. an exclamation ...M17 sl.
DEATH BALLS
n. balls of dust under furniture, which were thought to be harbingers of a death in the family ...1979 Amer. dial.
DEATH BIRD
n. a vulture ...1967 Amer. dial.
DEATH-DING
n. a death-blow ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEATH-DOING
adj. doing to death, killing, murderous ...a1652
DEATH-DONE
adj. killed, done to death ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEATH DROP
n. butyl chloride ...20C drugs sl.
DEATH-EVIL
† n. a mortal disease ...c1330
DEATH FOR
adj. very fond of ...M19 sl.
DEATHFUL
adj. 1. full of death; fraught with death; mortal, fatal, destructive, deadly ...a1240
* adj. 2. subject to death, mortal ...1616 arch.
adj. 3. having the appearance of death; deathly ...1656
DEATH-HEAD
n. a fan of Goth music ...1990s sl.
DEATH HOUSE
n. the execution chamber in a prison ...20C US sl.
DEATH-HUNTER
† n. 1. one who furnishes a newspaper with reports of deaths ...1738 sl.
n. 2. an undertaker ...L18 sl.
n. 3. one who visits battlefields in order to scavenge for clothes and other saleable items ...E19 sl.
† n. 4. a vendor of dying speeches or confessions ...1851 sl..
DEATHIFY
vb. to deprive of life, force, or vitality ...1801 nonce word
DEATH-ILL
† n. mortal illness ...c1425
DEATHINESS
* n. the state or quality of being 'deathy'; appearance of death ...1801
DEATHIOPIA
n. Ethiopia ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEATHLIKE
† adj. deadly, fatal, mortal ...1548
DEATHLING
* n. one subject to death; a mortal ...1598
DEATHLY
† adj. subject to death, mortal ...971
DEATHLY-GROATS
n. a person having a death-doomed look, or a sickly constitution ...1855 Eng. dial.
DEATHLY-LIKE
adj. very pale, deathly, colourless in complexion ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEATHNESS
n. deafness ...1889 Eng. dial.
DEATH O' DAY
n. anywhere considered by the speaker very far away or inaccessible ...1900s Aust. sl.
DEATH ON
adj. 1. very fond of ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. dealing very strictly and severely with a situation or person; very good at dealing with ...M19 sl., orig. US
adj. 3. finding abhorrent or being opposed to ...20C US sl.
DEATH ORGAN
n. a machine gun ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEATH RAIN
n. a heavy rain, a downpour ...1949 Amer. dial., chiefly Black usage
DEATH-ROPE
n. a gallows-rope ...Bk1897
DEATH ROW
n. the condemned cells ...M19 US prison sl.
DEATH SEAT
n. the passenger seat in a motorcar, shown statistically to be the seat most likely to bring death to its occupier when the car crashes ...1960s sl.
DEATH'S-FACE
† n. the head of Death figured as a skeleton; a human skull, a figure or representation of a skull, esp. as an emblem of mortality ...1623
DEATH'S-HEAD
n. 1. the head of Death figured as a skeleton; a human skull, a figure or representation of a skull, esp. as an emblem of mortality ...1596
n. ('death's head') a miserable, impoverished, emaciated person ...L18 sl.
DEATH'S HEAD UPON A MOP-STICK
n. a poor, miserable, emaciated fellow ...1794
DEATH SHOWER
n. a heavy rain, a downpour ...c1970 Amer. dial., chiefly Black usage
DEATH-SICK
adj. sick unto death, mortally sick or ill ...1628
DEATH'S MAILING
n. a burial ground ...1839 Sc.
DEATHSMAN
n. a man who puts another to death; an executioner ...1589 arch.
DEATH-STARK
adj. as stiff as death ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEATH STICK
n. a cigarette ...1969 Amer. jocular
DEATH-STRUCK
adj. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEATH-STRUCKEN
† adj. smitten with death, i.e. with a mortal wound or disease ...1622
DEATH TRIP
n. 1. a fantasy about death, often stimulated by drugs ...1960s sl.
n. 2. any situation considered potentially fatal or extremely life-threatening ...1960s sl.
DEATH UPON PRODS
n. a cadaverous person ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEATHWATCH
n. a wake ...1968 Amer. dial.
DEATH WATCH, THE
n. drama critics ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
DEATH WISH
n. phencyclidine ...1970s drugs sl.
DEATH-WORTHY
adj. worthy or deserving of death ...a1300
DEATHY
n. a death adder, a type of venomous snake ...L19 Aust. sl.
† adj. 1. dull, stupid; absurd ...c1440
†* adj. 2. numb, without sensation ...a1500
† adj. 3. of sounds: so dull as to be hardly or indistinctly heard; muffled ...1612
DEAF AND DUMB
n. 1. inside information ...1910s Aust. rhyming sl. for 'drum'
n. 2. the buttocks, the backside; the anus ...1992 rhyming sl. for 'bum'
DEAF AS A BAT, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A BEAGLE, AS
adj. quite deaf ...Bk1899 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A BEETLE
adj. completely deaf ...1867
DEAF AS A BUM-BAILY, AS
adj. very deaf indeed ...1884 Eng. dial.
DEAF AS A CLAM
adj. very deaf ...1885 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A DOOR
adj. completely deaf ...1606
DEAF AS A DOORBELL, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A DOORKNOB, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1950 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A DOORNAIL
adj. completely deaf ...1611
DEAF AS A DOORPOST
adj. completely deaf ...1551
DEAF AS A DORMOUSE, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1950 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A FENCE POST, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A HADDIE
adj. stone deaf (haddie - haddock) ...1951 Sc.
DEAF AS A HADDOCK
adj. very deaf ...1746 Eng. dial.
DEAF AS A LOG, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1950 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A MILL POST, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A MULE, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1950 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A MUTE, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1950 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS AN ADDER
adj. completely deaf ...a1845
DEAF AS A NAIL
adj. quite deaf ...a1845
DEAF AS A POST, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1822 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A SHAD, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1836 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A STONE, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1943 Amer. dial.
DEAF AS A STONE WALL, AS
adj. quite deaf ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAFEN
†* vb. to become deaf ...1680
DEAFENING
†* adj. becoming deaf ...1680
DEAFER THAN A DOORKNOB
adj. quite deaf ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAFER THAN A DOORNAIL
adj. quite deaf ...1965 Amer. dial.
DEAFEY
n. a deaf beggar, or one who poses as such ...1930s US criminals' sl.
DEAFFLE
vb. to become deaf ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEAFHEAD
† n. 1. deafness ...c1350
n. 2. (as 'deaf-head') a stupid, dull fellow ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
DEAFIE
n. a deaf person ...1972 Trinidad and Tobago
DEAFLY
adj. lonely, solitary and silent ...1611 Eng. dial.
DEAF NUT
n. something hollow, worthless, or unsubstantial ...1613
DEAFY
n. a deaf beggar, or one who poses as such ...1930s US criminals' sl.
DEAK
vb. to fight ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEAL
adv. much ...1756 UK
† n. 1. a part or division of a whole; a portion, fraction, section ...a800 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† n. 2. a part allowed or apportioned to anyone; a portion, a share, dole ...c825 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
n. 3. a quantity, a number; a great deal ...1703 Sc. & Eng. dial.
n. 4. a business transaction; a trade or a bargain ...1838 US
n. 5. the nipple, teat of a sow, cow, bitch, fox, etc. ...1845 Eng. dial.
n. 6. a litter of pigs ...1848 Eng. dial.
n. 7. an underhand or secret transaction; a trade of questionable legality; a mutually beneficial commercial or political arrangement ...1881 US sl.
n. 8. the situation, the state of affairs ...L19 sl., orig. US
n. 9. the treatment one has received, whether good or bad ...L19 sl.
n. 10. a fir tree ...B1900 Eng. dial.
n. 11. a purchase or sale of drugs, esp. cannabis ...1910s drugs sl.
n. 12. a turn of events, a development ...1920s US sl.
n. 13. a drug seller, often in his wholesale role, as opposed to the less important 'pusher' ...1920s drugs sl.
n. 14. an individual or thing ...1940s sl., orig. US
n. 15. a woman ...1960s US Black sl.
n. 16. a sports star ...1970s US Black sl.
n. 17. a small amount of marijuana or hashish ...1978 UK sl.
n. 18. a problem, a conflict ...1990s US college sl.
† vb. 1. to divide ...c950
† vb. 2. to engage with in conflict; to contend ...993
† vb. 3. to divide property, etc. among a number so that each may have his due share; to distribute in shares; to portion out, to apportion ...c1000
† vb. 4. to separate, to sever ...a1000
† vb. 5. to take part in, to share or participate in, to be a partaker of ...c1175
† vb. 6. to contend or fight about ...c1205
†* vb. 7. to offer for sale ...1760
vb. 8. to conclude a bargain of purchase or sale; to agree as to price ...1888 Eng. dial.
vb. 9. to cause trouble for, to treat harshly ...1920s US Black sl.
vb. 10. to give, to hand over ...1920s US sl.
vb. 11. to manage a situation or circumstance ...1950s sl.
vb. 12. to peddle illegal drugs ...1958 sl.
vb. 13. to have sexual intercourse with ...1960s US Black sl.
vb. 14. to supervise the blackjack game in a casino ...1980 US sl.
vb. 15. to make dates frequently ...1980s US college sl.
vb. 16. to play the active role in a homosexual couple ...1980s US prison sl.
int. an exclamation of agreement ...1980s sl.
DEAL, A
n. an undefined but considerable amount or extent ...L16 sl.
DEAL, THE
n. the very best ...1986 US sl.
DEAL-APPLE
n. a fir cone ...1819 Eng. dial.
DEAL AROUND
vb. to shop around ...1968 Amer. dial.
DEAL AROUND ME
phr. an exclamation of rejection, leave me out!, I'm not interested! ...1940s sl., orig. US Black
DEALBATE
† vb. to whiten ...1623
DEALBATION
n. the act of whitening, blanching, bleaching ...1607
DEAL DIRT
vb. to gossip; to malign ...1970s US Black sl.
DEALER
† n. 1. an agent, a negotiator ...c1000
n. 2. a wholesaler of counterfeit money ...E19 US criminals' sl.
n. 3. a drug seller, often in his wholesale role, as opposed to the less important 'pusher' ...1920s drugs sl.
DEALER'S BAND
n. an elastic band used by a drug dealer to secure or facilitate the jettisoning of drugs for sale ...1966 US sl.
DEALIE
n. 1. an individual or thing ...1940s sl., orig. US
n. 2. a thing, the correct name of which escapes or is not important to the speaker ...1997 US sl.
DEAL IN COAL
vb. 1. of a White person: to have sex with a Black person ...1922 US sl.
vb. 2. to prefer dark-skinned women ...1930s US Black sl.
DEAL IN DIRT
vb. to gossip; to malign ...1970s US Black sl.
DEALING
† n. a part, a division ...a1300
DEAL IN ZEROES
vb. to achieve nothing; to fail completely; to draw a blank ...1960s US Black sl.
DEAL IT OUT
vb. to attack, esp. verbally; to punish ...20C Aust. sl.
DEAL ME OUT!
int. an exclamation of rejection; I'm not interested! leave me out! ...1950s US sl.
DEAL OFF THE TOP
vb. to treat fairly ...1969 US sl.
DEAL OF WEATHER, A
n. heavy rain or snow ...1874 Eng. dial.
DEAL ON
vb. 1. to trick, to deceive, to take advantage ...1970s US Black sl.
vb. 2. to manage something well ...1980s US college sl.
DEAL ONE OFF THE TOP
vb. to give someone a piece of good luck ...1960s US sl.
DEAL OUT
vb. to attack, esp. verbally; to punish ...20C Aust. sl.
DEALS
n. a successful seduction ...2000s US Black sl.
DEALSEY
n. a fir cone ...1810 Eng. dial.
DEALSMAN
† n. a partner, a sharer ...1563 Sc.
DEAL SOMEONE IN
vb. to include in an undertaking, often a criminal one, to give someone a share ...1940s sl., orig. US
DEAL SOMEONE ONE
vb. 1. to attack someone; to give someone a blow or beating ...1980s NZ sl.
vb. 2. to pay someone back for an injury or slight ...1980s NZ sl.
DEAL SOMEONE OUT
vb. to exclude in an undertaking, often a criminal one, to not give someone a share ...1940s sl., orig. US
DEAL SUIT
n. a cheap coffin, as supplied by the parish, rather than purchased from an undertaker ...M19 sl.
DEALTH
† n. portion dealt ...1637 nonce word
DEAL THE BANK
vb. to settle a dispute; to come to an understanding ...B1900 Sc.
DEAL THEM OFF THE ARM
vb. to wait at tables ...1930s US sl.
DEAL TO
vb. 1. to beat up ...1980s NZ sl.
vb. 2. to treat roughly ...1980s NZ sl.
DEAL-TREE
n. a fir tree ...a1825 Eng. dial.
DEALY
n. a thing, the correct name of which escapes or is not important to the speaker ...1997 US sl.
DEAMBULATE
† vb. to walk abroad ...1623
DEAMBULATION
n. the act of walking abroad or talking a walk ...a1529
DEAMBULATOR
† n. one who walks abroad ...1630
DEAMBULATORY
adj. moving about from place to place; movable, shifting ...1607
n. a place to walk in for exercise; esp. a covered walk or cloister ...1430
DEAMBULATOUR
† n. a place to walk in for exercise; esp. a covered walk or cloister ...1513 Sc.
DE-AMPLE
† vb. to deprive of amplitude, to belittle ...1657 nonce word
DEAN
† n. 1. a head, chief, or commander of a division of ten ...1388
n. 2. a din, noise; a sound ...1691 Eng. dial.
n. 3. a deep wooded valley or dell; a valley through which a stream flows ...1846 Sc. & Eng. dial.
n. 4. a shark ...1977 Aust. sl.
n. 5. a skilled and experienced poker player ...1979 US sl.
n. 6. a police officer ...2000s US Black sl.
vb. to din, to make a noise ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEANER
n. 1. sixpence ... Bk1903 sl.
n. 2. a shilling ...1839 chiefly Aust. & NZ usage
n. 3. 10 cents, a dime ...1950s US sl.
DEAN MAITLAND
n. a silent person; one who does not talk ...1940s Aust. sl.
DEAN OF MEN
n. a prison warden ...1949 US sl.
DEAR
† adj. 1. of high estimation, of great worth or value; precious, valuable ...c888
† adj. 2. of persons: glorious, noble, honourable, worthy ...a1000
† adj. 3. brave, bold, strenuous, hardy ...a1000
adj. 4. hard, severe, heavy, grievous; dire, fell ...a1000 arch.
† adj. 5. hard, difficult ...a1225
adj. 6. keen, ardent ...1955 Amer. dial.
† n. dearness, dearth ...1297
†* vb. 1. to make dear or expensive; to raise the price of ...1424 Sc.
†* vb. 2. to endear ...1603
int. a mild register of anxiety, irritation, regret, etc. ...1694
DEAR, THE
n. God ...1940s Aust. sl.
DEAR ANVIL!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1888 Eng. dial.
DEAR AS SAFFRON, AS
adj. excessively dear, expensive ...1881 Eng. dial.
DEAR BE HERE!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1801 Sc.
DEAR BLESS YOU!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...B1900 N. Ireland
DEAR-BOUGHT
adj. bought at a high price, obtained at great cost ...c1384
DEARCH
† n. a dwarf ...c1500 Sc.
DEAR CHAPPIE
n. a term of address ...c1880
DEAR DEAR!
int. used as a mild exclamation or oath ...1849 UK
DEAR DEPARTED
n. a deceased person ...20C US euphemism
DEAREST BODILY PART
n. the vagina ...L16 sl.
DEAREST MEMBER
n. the penis ...18C Sc.
DEAR FLESH!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1875 Eng. dial.
DEAR GUSSIE!
int. a mild oath and exclamation ...20C US colloq.
DEAR HEART
n. 1. a term of endearment; chiefly used in addressing a person ...c1350
† n. 2. a boon companion ...1663
DEAR HEART A DAY!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1860 Eng. dial.
DEAR HELP YOU!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...B1900 N. Ireland
DEARIE
n. a term of endearment; a loved one; a sweetheart ...1681 sl.
DEARING
† n. a darling ...1601
DEAR JANE
n. a letter concluding a relationship ...1980s sl.
DEAR JOHN
n. a letter concluding a relationship, usually sent by the woman and received by the man, often in prison or serving in the forces ...1940s sl.
DEAR JOY
† n. a familiar appellation for an Irishman ...1688
DEAR KEEP US!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1806 Sc.
DEAR KENS!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1870 Sc. & Eng. dial.
DEAR KNOWS!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1896 Sc. & N. Ireland
DEARLING
† n. a darling, a pet, a favourite ...1715
DEAR LOVE YOU!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...B1900 N. Ireland
DEARLY
† adj. dear, beloved ...a1300
† adv. 1. in a precious, worthy, or excellent manner; worthily, choicely, finely, richly ...a1000
† adv. 2. from the heart, heartily, earnestly ...a1310
† adv. 3. carefully ...c1400
† adv. 4. deeply, keenly ...1590
adv. 5. very; exceedingly; extremely ...1896 Eng. dial.
DEARM
†* vb. to disarm ...1727
DEAR MAN!
int. an exclamation of surprise ...1903 Sc.
DEAR ME!
int. expression of surprise, annoyance, etc. ...1848 Amer. dial.
DEAR MERCY!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1859 Eng. dial.
DEAR ME SUZ!
int. a mild exclamation ...L18
DEAR OH DEAR!
int. a mild register of anxiety, irritation, regret, etc. ...1694 UK
DE-ARREST
†* vb. to release from arrest ...1791
DEAR SACK-ALIVE!
int. an exclamation ...1885 Eng. dial.
DEAR SAKES!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...1871 Eng. dial.
DEAR SORES!
int. exclamation expressive of surprise, sorrow, etc. ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEAR-STALKER
n. a wealthy idler who likes to follow and/or ogle attractive shop-girls or secretaries ...1910s sl.
DEARTH
†* n. 1. glory, splendour ...c1325
† n. 2. dearness, costliness, high price ...1632
† vb. to make dear in price; to raise the price of anything; to cause or produce a scarcity of or in anything ...c1440 obs. exc. Sc.
DEARTHER
† n. one who causes a dearth or scarcity in commodities ...1622
DEARTHFUL
† adj. costly, expensive; high in price ...1786 nonce word obs. exc. Sc.
DEARTUATE
†* vb. to dismember ...1623
DEARTUATION
†* n. dismemberment ...1653
DEARWORTH
† adj. 1. worthy of high estimation, highly valuable, precious, costly ...c888
† adj. 2. worthy, honourable, noble, glorious ...c1175
adj. 3. of persons: dearly esteemed, worthy of being loved, dear, beloved ...a1225
DEARWORTHILY
† adv. worthily, honourably; preciously, richly; affectionately ...a1300
DEARWORTHINESS
† n. preciousness, worthiness, valuableness ...c1325
DEARWORTHINESSES
† n. valuables, treasures ...c1325
DEARWORTHLY
† adv. worthily, honourably; preciously, richly; affectionately ...c1205
DEARWORTHY
† adj. 1. of persons: dearly esteemed, dear, beloved ...a1300
† adj. 2. worthy, honourable, noble, glorious ...c1374
† adj. 3. worthy of high estimation, highly valuable, precious, costly ...c1430
DEARY
adj. small, minute, little, undersized, puny ...1691 Eng. dial.
n. a term of endearment ...1681 sl.
DEARY LITTLE
adj. small, minute, little, undersized, puny ...1790 Eng. dial.
DEARY ME!
int. expression of surprise, annoyance, etc. ...1848 Amer. dial.
DEARY ME TO-DAY!
int. an exclamation of regret or surprise ...1865 Eng. dial.
DEASIE
adj. of the weather: cold, raw ...1825 Sc.
DEASIL
adv. towards the right ...1771
DEASKED
adj. besotted; stupid, bewildered ...B1900 Sc.
DEATH
adj. deaf ...1821 Eng. dial.
n. 1. an unattractive woman ...1960s US college sl.
n. 2. something excellent or outstanding ...1960s US Black sl.
n. 3. a terrible situation or event ...1980s US college sl.
vb. to be very appalling; to die for ...20C teen & high school sl.
int. 1. a vehement exclamation or imprecation ...1668
int. 2. an exclamation of approval or admiration ...1980s US college sl.
DEATH-ALIVE!
int. an expletive ...1843 Ireland
DEATH AND DAMNATION!
int. a vehement exclamation or imprecation ...1604
DEATH AND FURIES!
int. an exclamation ...M17 sl.
DEATH BALLS
n. balls of dust under furniture, which were thought to be harbingers of a death in the family ...1979 Amer. dial.
DEATH BIRD
n. a vulture ...1967 Amer. dial.
DEATH-DING
n. a death-blow ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEATH-DOING
adj. doing to death, killing, murderous ...a1652
DEATH-DONE
adj. killed, done to death ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEATH DROP
n. butyl chloride ...20C drugs sl.
DEATH-EVIL
† n. a mortal disease ...c1330
DEATH FOR
adj. very fond of ...M19 sl.
DEATHFUL
adj. 1. full of death; fraught with death; mortal, fatal, destructive, deadly ...a1240
* adj. 2. subject to death, mortal ...1616 arch.
adj. 3. having the appearance of death; deathly ...1656
DEATH-HEAD
n. a fan of Goth music ...1990s sl.
DEATH HOUSE
n. the execution chamber in a prison ...20C US sl.
DEATH-HUNTER
† n. 1. one who furnishes a newspaper with reports of deaths ...1738 sl.
n. 2. an undertaker ...L18 sl.
n. 3. one who visits battlefields in order to scavenge for clothes and other saleable items ...E19 sl.
† n. 4. a vendor of dying speeches or confessions ...1851 sl..
DEATHIFY
vb. to deprive of life, force, or vitality ...1801 nonce word
DEATH-ILL
† n. mortal illness ...c1425
DEATHINESS
* n. the state or quality of being 'deathy'; appearance of death ...1801
DEATHIOPIA
n. Ethiopia ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEATHLIKE
† adj. deadly, fatal, mortal ...1548
DEATHLING
* n. one subject to death; a mortal ...1598
DEATHLY
† adj. subject to death, mortal ...971
DEATHLY-GROATS
n. a person having a death-doomed look, or a sickly constitution ...1855 Eng. dial.
DEATHLY-LIKE
adj. very pale, deathly, colourless in complexion ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEATHNESS
n. deafness ...1889 Eng. dial.
DEATH O' DAY
n. anywhere considered by the speaker very far away or inaccessible ...1900s Aust. sl.
DEATH ON
adj. 1. very fond of ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. dealing very strictly and severely with a situation or person; very good at dealing with ...M19 sl., orig. US
adj. 3. finding abhorrent or being opposed to ...20C US sl.
DEATH ORGAN
n. a machine gun ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEATH RAIN
n. a heavy rain, a downpour ...1949 Amer. dial., chiefly Black usage
DEATH-ROPE
n. a gallows-rope ...Bk1897
DEATH ROW
n. the condemned cells ...M19 US prison sl.
DEATH SEAT
n. the passenger seat in a motorcar, shown statistically to be the seat most likely to bring death to its occupier when the car crashes ...1960s sl.
DEATH'S-FACE
† n. the head of Death figured as a skeleton; a human skull, a figure or representation of a skull, esp. as an emblem of mortality ...1623
DEATH'S-HEAD
n. 1. the head of Death figured as a skeleton; a human skull, a figure or representation of a skull, esp. as an emblem of mortality ...1596
n. ('death's head') a miserable, impoverished, emaciated person ...L18 sl.
DEATH'S HEAD UPON A MOP-STICK
n. a poor, miserable, emaciated fellow ...1794
DEATH SHOWER
n. a heavy rain, a downpour ...c1970 Amer. dial., chiefly Black usage
DEATH-SICK
adj. sick unto death, mortally sick or ill ...1628
DEATH'S MAILING
n. a burial ground ...1839 Sc.
DEATHSMAN
n. a man who puts another to death; an executioner ...1589 arch.
DEATH-STARK
adj. as stiff as death ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEATH STICK
n. a cigarette ...1969 Amer. jocular
DEATH-STRUCK
adj. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DEATH-STRUCKEN
† adj. smitten with death, i.e. with a mortal wound or disease ...1622
DEATH TRIP
n. 1. a fantasy about death, often stimulated by drugs ...1960s sl.
n. 2. any situation considered potentially fatal or extremely life-threatening ...1960s sl.
DEATH UPON PRODS
n. a cadaverous person ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEATHWATCH
n. a wake ...1968 Amer. dial.
DEATH WATCH, THE
n. drama critics ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
DEATH WISH
n. phencyclidine ...1970s drugs sl.
DEATH-WORTHY
adj. worthy or deserving of death ...a1300
DEATHY
n. a death adder, a type of venomous snake ...L19 Aust. sl.
DEAU - DEBZ
DEAURATE
† adj. gilded, golden ...c1430
† vb. to gild over ...1562
DEAURATION
† n. the act of gilding ...1658
DEAVE
† vb. 1. to become deaf ...a1300 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
† vb. 2. to deafen; to stun or stupefy with noise; to bewilder, to worry or confuse, esp. by 'dinning' in one's ears ...c1340 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to worry, to bother, to embarrass, to confuse ...1794 Sc. & Eng. dial.
vb. 3. to break with violence ...1847 Eng. dial.
DEAVELY
adj. lonely, solitary, unfrequented, retired, remote ...1611 Eng. dial.
DEAVESOME
adj. deafening ...1853 Sc.
DEAVING
adj. deafening, dinning; talkative ...1791 Sc. & Eng. dial.
n. a deafening noise ...1827 Sc.
DEAVY
adj. deafening ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEB
n. 1. a bed ...M19 back-slang
n. 2. a debutante ...1917 sl., orig. US
n. 3. a female member of a street gang ...1940s US teen sl.
DEBACCHATE
†* vb. to rage or rave as a bacchanal; to revile one after the manner of drunkards ...1623
DEBACCHATION
†* n. a raging or madness ...1633
DEBAG vb. 1. to remove someone's trousers, esp. as a joke ...1914 Brit. sl.
vb. 2. to reveal the sexual underside ...1990s sl.
DEBAID
† n. delay ...1375 Sc.
DE-BALL
vb. to castrate, lit. and fig. ...1950s sl.
DEBARB
† vb. 'to deprive of his beard'; to cut the beard off ...1727
DEBARE
† vb. to strip down, to make quite bare ...1567
DEBARK
vb. to disembark ...1654
DEBARKATION
n. the act of landing from a ship; disembarkation ...1756
DEBARKMENT
* n. the act of landing from a ship; disembarkation ...1742
DEBARMENT
* n. the act of debarring or the fact of being debarred ...a1655
DEBARRASS
vb. to disembarrass; to disencumber from anything that embarrasses ...1789
DEBARRATION
* n. the act of debarring; debarrance ...1882
DEBASE
† vb. 1. to lower in estimation; to decry, to depreciate, to vilify ...1565
† vb. 2. to lower in position, rank, or dignity; to abase ...1568
DEBASEMENT
† n. abasement ...1593
DEBASH
† vb. to abash ...1610 nonce word
DEBASURE
†* n. debasement ...1683
DEBATABLE
adj. able to shift for oneself, able to get along, manage, or succeed by oneself ...1825 Sc.
DEBATE
n. 1. strife, contention, dissension, quarrelling, wrangling; a quarrel ...a1300 arch.
† n. 2. lowering; depreciation; degradation ...c1460
† n. 3. physical strife, fight, conflict, struggle ...a1500 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† vb. 1. to fight, to contend, to strive, to quarrel, to wrangle ...c1340
† vb. 2. to abate, to fall off, to grow less ...a1400-50.
† vb. 3. to abate; to beat down, to bring down, to lower, to reduce, to lessen, to diminish ...c1450
vb. 4. to contest, to dispute; to contend or fight for; to carry on a fight or quarrel ...c1489 arch.
† vb. 5. to fight for, to defend, to protect ...1500-20 Sc.
† vb. 6. to depreciate, to decry ...1598
† vb. 7. to subtract, to take away ...1658
DEBATEFUL
† adj. 1. of persons: full of strife, contentious, quarrelsome ...1491
† adj. 2. of things: pertaining to strife or contention ...1580
† adj. 3. of things: controversial, contentious, uncertain, questionable ...1587
DEBATEFULLY
† adv. with much wrangling, contentiously ...1611
DEBATEMENT
† n. 1. debate, controversy, discussion, deliberation, disputation, argument ...1536
†* n. 2. abatement ...c1550
†* n. 3. contention, strife, quarrelling ...1590
DEBATER
† n. one who contends or strives; a quarrelsome or contentious person ...1388
DEBATIVE
†* adj. of the nature of debate or discussion ...1606
DEBATOUS
†* adj. quarrelsome, contentious ...1483
DEBAUCH
† adj. debauched ...1616
† n. one who is debauched ...1681
† vb. 1. to turn or lead away, to entice, to seduce, from one to whom service or allegiance is due; e.g. soldiers or allies from a leader, a wife, or children from husband or father, etc.; usually with the connotation 'lead astray, mislead' ...a1595
† vb. 2. to vilify, to damage in reputation; to depreciate, to disparage ...1601
† vb. 3. to dissipate, to spend prodigally, to squander ...1632
† vb. 4. to damage or spoil in quality ...1633
DEBAURD
† n. departure from the right way; excess; a transgression ...1671
DEBAUSH
† adj. debauched ...1616
DEBBIE
n. a debutante ...1920s sl.
DEBBIES' DELIGHT
n. (mainly derogatory) an elegant and attractive young man in high society ...1934 Brit. sl.
DEBBLISH
n. a penny ...Bk1892 S. Afr. sl.
DEBBY
n. a debutante ...1917 sl., orig. US
DEBELL
† vb. to put down in fight, to subdue, to vanquish, to conquer, to overcome; to expel by force of arms ...1555
DEBELLATE
† vb. to overcome in war; to conquer, subdue, vanquish ...1611
DEBELLATION
† n. a vanquishing or reducing by force of arms; a conquering, defeating, conquest ...1526
DEBELLATIVE
†* adj. tending to overthrow or reduce by war; warlike ...1651
DEBELLATOR
†* n. a subduer, a vanquisher, a victor, a conqueror ...1713
DEBELLISH
†* vb. to rob of beauty; to mar the beauty of, to disfigure ...1610
DEBENTURE
† n. acknowledgement of indebtedness; obligation; debt ...1609
DEBILE
† adj. weak, feeble, suffering from debility ...1536
DEBILITANT
adj. debilitating ...1882
DEBILITATE
† adj. enfeebled; feeble ...1552
DEBILITE
† vb. to debilitate, to render weak, to weaken, to enfeeble ...1483
DEBILITIES
† n. an instance of weakness ...a1533
DEBILITUDE
†* n. debility, weakness ...1669
DEB IT!
int. an oath ...1888 Eng. dial.
DEBIT
† n. something that is owed; a debt ...c1450
DEBITE
†* adj. that is owed or due ...1678
† n. a deputy, a lieutenant ...1482
DEBITOR
† n. a debtor ...1484
DEBITORY
†* n. a statement or item of debt ...1575
DEBITRICE
†* n. a female debtor ...1588
DEBITY
† n. a deputy, a substitute ...1467.
DEBLAT
† n. a little devil ...1473
DEBLATERATE
* vb. to babble much, prate ...1623
DEBLATERATION
n. chattering; talkativeness ...1817
DEBLAZE
†* vb. to announce, to proclaim ...1640
DEBLAZON
† vb. to announce, to proclaim ...1621
DEBLERIE
† n. an evil spirit, a demon ...a1325
DEBOISE
† adj. debauched ...1632
† vb. 1. to spend prodigally, to squander ...1632
† vb. 2. to leave one's employment; to take recreation, to amuse oneself ...1633
† vb. 3. to corrupt morally; to deprave by sensuality ...1654.
DEBOIST
† adj. 1. debauched, dissolute ...1604
† adj. 2. damaged ...1641
† n. a debauchee ...1657 obs.
DEBOISTLY
† adv. debauchedly; corruptly ...1604 obs.
DEBOISTNESS
† n. the state of being debauched ...1628
DEBOLISH
† vb. to demolish, to sweep away ...1615
DE-BOLLOCK
vb. to castrate, usually in figurative sense of hurting or punishing severely ...1960s sl.
DEBONAIR
† adj. of gentle disposition, mild, meek; gracious, kindly; courteous, affable ...a1225
† n. 1. a kind, gracious person ...c1366 obs.
† n. 2. graciousness of manner ...1697
DEBONAIRSHIP
†* n. debonair character; mildness, gentleness, meekness; graciousness, kindness; courtesy, affability ...a1240
DEBONAIRTY
† n. debonair character; mildness, gentleness, meekness; graciousness, kindness; courtesy, affability ...a1225
DEBONARIOUS
†* adj. debonair; courteous ...c1485
DEBONARITY
† n. debonair character; mildness, gentleness, meekness; graciousness, kindness; courtesy, affability ...a1225
DEBONARY
† adj. debonair, courteous ...1402.
DEBORD
† n. a departure from right way ...1671 Sc.
† vb. 1. to go out of bounds, to deviate; to go beyond bounds, to go to excess ...c1620
† vb. 2. of a body of water: to pass beyond its borders or banks; to overflow ...1632
DEBORDING
† n. going beyond bounds, excess ...1635
DEBORDMENT
† n. going beyond bounds, excess ...1603
DEBOSH
n. 1. excessive indulgence, a debauch; extravagance, waste ...1828 Sc.
n. 2. a person who indulges in anything to excess; a debauchee ...1866 Sc.
vb. to indulge oneself in the use of anything to excess ...1731 Sc.
DEBOSHED
† adj. debauched; worthless ...1599 obs. exc. Sc.
DEBOSHING
adj. given to excessive indulgence; wasteful ...B1900 Sc.
DEBOUT
† vb. to thrust out, to expel, to oust ...1619
DEBOUTEMENT
† n. a thrusting forth, expulsion ...1481.
DEBOWEL
† vb. to disembowel ...1375
DEBRAID
†* vb. to snatch down ...1388
DEBREAK
†* vb. to break down ...1382
DEBRUISE
† vb. to break down, to break in pieces, to crush, to smash ...1297
DEBS
n. 1. depressants, tranquillizers, barbiturates ...1970s US drugs sl.
n. 2. amphetamines ...2000s US drugs sl.
n. 3. MDMA tablets ...2000s US drugs sl.
DEBS' DELIGHT
n. (mainly derogatory) an elegant and attractive young man in high society ...1934 Brit. sl.
DEBT
† adj. owed, due, owing ...c1340
† n. that which one is bound or ought to do; one's duty ...c1450 Sc.
DEBTABLE
†* adj. under pecuniary obligation, chargeable ...1516
DEBT-BIND
† vb. to bind by obligation, to render indebted ...a1608 nonce word
DEBT-BOUND † adj. 1. under obligation, bound by duty, obliged ...1513
† adj. 2. of things: obligatory, due, bounden ...1588
DEBT-BOUNDEN
† adj. under obligation, bound by duty, obliged ...1553
DEBTED
† adj. 1. of things: owed, due ...c1375
† adj. 2. of persons: under obligation; indebted ...c1425
DEBTFUL
† adj. 1. owed, bounden, due; dutiful ...c1425 chiefly Sc.
† adj. 2. indebted ...1649 chiefly Sc.
DEBTFULLY
† adv. duly, dutifully ...c1425 Sc.
DEBT OF NATURE
n. the necessity of dying, death ...1812
DEBT TO NATURE
n. the necessity of dying, death ...1635
DEBUCCINATE
† vb. to report or trumpet abroad ...1623
DEBUG
vb. to remove faults from a machine, a system, or now most commonly, a computer or its software ...1940s sl.
DEBUGGERABLE
adj. disreputable, unpleasant ...1930s sl.
DEBULLIATE
† vb. to bubble or boil over ...1656
DEBULLITION
† n. a bubbling or boiling over ...1727
DEBURSE
† vb. to pay out, to disburse ...1529 Sc.
DEBURSEMENT
† n. disbursement ...1637-50 Sc.
DEBURSING
† n. disbursement ...1598 Sc.
DEBUSS
vb. to get out of an omnibus ...Amer. World War I sl.
DEBUT
n. a first homosexual experience ...1950s sl.
DEBUTANTE
n. 1. a woman serving her first jail sentence ...1930s US criminals' sl.
n. 2. someone new to the homosexual life ...1950s sl.
† adj. gilded, golden ...c1430
† vb. to gild over ...1562
DEAURATION
† n. the act of gilding ...1658
DEAVE
† vb. 1. to become deaf ...a1300 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
† vb. 2. to deafen; to stun or stupefy with noise; to bewilder, to worry or confuse, esp. by 'dinning' in one's ears ...c1340 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to worry, to bother, to embarrass, to confuse ...1794 Sc. & Eng. dial.
vb. 3. to break with violence ...1847 Eng. dial.
DEAVELY
adj. lonely, solitary, unfrequented, retired, remote ...1611 Eng. dial.
DEAVESOME
adj. deafening ...1853 Sc.
DEAVING
adj. deafening, dinning; talkative ...1791 Sc. & Eng. dial.
n. a deafening noise ...1827 Sc.
DEAVY
adj. deafening ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DEB
n. 1. a bed ...M19 back-slang
n. 2. a debutante ...1917 sl., orig. US
n. 3. a female member of a street gang ...1940s US teen sl.
DEBACCHATE
†* vb. to rage or rave as a bacchanal; to revile one after the manner of drunkards ...1623
DEBACCHATION
†* n. a raging or madness ...1633
DEBAG vb. 1. to remove someone's trousers, esp. as a joke ...1914 Brit. sl.
vb. 2. to reveal the sexual underside ...1990s sl.
DEBAID
† n. delay ...1375 Sc.
DE-BALL
vb. to castrate, lit. and fig. ...1950s sl.
DEBARB
† vb. 'to deprive of his beard'; to cut the beard off ...1727
DEBARE
† vb. to strip down, to make quite bare ...1567
DEBARK
vb. to disembark ...1654
DEBARKATION
n. the act of landing from a ship; disembarkation ...1756
DEBARKMENT
* n. the act of landing from a ship; disembarkation ...1742
DEBARMENT
* n. the act of debarring or the fact of being debarred ...a1655
DEBARRASS
vb. to disembarrass; to disencumber from anything that embarrasses ...1789
DEBARRATION
* n. the act of debarring; debarrance ...1882
DEBASE
† vb. 1. to lower in estimation; to decry, to depreciate, to vilify ...1565
† vb. 2. to lower in position, rank, or dignity; to abase ...1568
DEBASEMENT
† n. abasement ...1593
DEBASH
† vb. to abash ...1610 nonce word
DEBASURE
†* n. debasement ...1683
DEBATABLE
adj. able to shift for oneself, able to get along, manage, or succeed by oneself ...1825 Sc.
DEBATE
n. 1. strife, contention, dissension, quarrelling, wrangling; a quarrel ...a1300 arch.
† n. 2. lowering; depreciation; degradation ...c1460
† n. 3. physical strife, fight, conflict, struggle ...a1500 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† vb. 1. to fight, to contend, to strive, to quarrel, to wrangle ...c1340
† vb. 2. to abate, to fall off, to grow less ...a1400-50.
† vb. 3. to abate; to beat down, to bring down, to lower, to reduce, to lessen, to diminish ...c1450
vb. 4. to contest, to dispute; to contend or fight for; to carry on a fight or quarrel ...c1489 arch.
† vb. 5. to fight for, to defend, to protect ...1500-20 Sc.
† vb. 6. to depreciate, to decry ...1598
† vb. 7. to subtract, to take away ...1658
DEBATEFUL
† adj. 1. of persons: full of strife, contentious, quarrelsome ...1491
† adj. 2. of things: pertaining to strife or contention ...1580
† adj. 3. of things: controversial, contentious, uncertain, questionable ...1587
DEBATEFULLY
† adv. with much wrangling, contentiously ...1611
DEBATEMENT
† n. 1. debate, controversy, discussion, deliberation, disputation, argument ...1536
†* n. 2. abatement ...c1550
†* n. 3. contention, strife, quarrelling ...1590
DEBATER
† n. one who contends or strives; a quarrelsome or contentious person ...1388
DEBATIVE
†* adj. of the nature of debate or discussion ...1606
DEBATOUS
†* adj. quarrelsome, contentious ...1483
DEBAUCH
† adj. debauched ...1616
† n. one who is debauched ...1681
† vb. 1. to turn or lead away, to entice, to seduce, from one to whom service or allegiance is due; e.g. soldiers or allies from a leader, a wife, or children from husband or father, etc.; usually with the connotation 'lead astray, mislead' ...a1595
† vb. 2. to vilify, to damage in reputation; to depreciate, to disparage ...1601
† vb. 3. to dissipate, to spend prodigally, to squander ...1632
† vb. 4. to damage or spoil in quality ...1633
DEBAURD
† n. departure from the right way; excess; a transgression ...1671
DEBAUSH
† adj. debauched ...1616
DEBBIE
n. a debutante ...1920s sl.
DEBBIES' DELIGHT
n. (mainly derogatory) an elegant and attractive young man in high society ...1934 Brit. sl.
DEBBLISH
n. a penny ...Bk1892 S. Afr. sl.
DEBBY
n. a debutante ...1917 sl., orig. US
DEBELL
† vb. to put down in fight, to subdue, to vanquish, to conquer, to overcome; to expel by force of arms ...1555
DEBELLATE
† vb. to overcome in war; to conquer, subdue, vanquish ...1611
DEBELLATION
† n. a vanquishing or reducing by force of arms; a conquering, defeating, conquest ...1526
DEBELLATIVE
†* adj. tending to overthrow or reduce by war; warlike ...1651
DEBELLATOR
†* n. a subduer, a vanquisher, a victor, a conqueror ...1713
DEBELLISH
†* vb. to rob of beauty; to mar the beauty of, to disfigure ...1610
DEBENTURE
† n. acknowledgement of indebtedness; obligation; debt ...1609
DEBILE
† adj. weak, feeble, suffering from debility ...1536
DEBILITANT
adj. debilitating ...1882
DEBILITATE
† adj. enfeebled; feeble ...1552
DEBILITE
† vb. to debilitate, to render weak, to weaken, to enfeeble ...1483
DEBILITIES
† n. an instance of weakness ...a1533
DEBILITUDE
†* n. debility, weakness ...1669
DEB IT!
int. an oath ...1888 Eng. dial.
DEBIT
† n. something that is owed; a debt ...c1450
DEBITE
†* adj. that is owed or due ...1678
† n. a deputy, a lieutenant ...1482
DEBITOR
† n. a debtor ...1484
DEBITORY
†* n. a statement or item of debt ...1575
DEBITRICE
†* n. a female debtor ...1588
DEBITY
† n. a deputy, a substitute ...1467.
DEBLAT
† n. a little devil ...1473
DEBLATERATE
* vb. to babble much, prate ...1623
DEBLATERATION
n. chattering; talkativeness ...1817
DEBLAZE
†* vb. to announce, to proclaim ...1640
DEBLAZON
† vb. to announce, to proclaim ...1621
DEBLERIE
† n. an evil spirit, a demon ...a1325
DEBOISE
† adj. debauched ...1632
† vb. 1. to spend prodigally, to squander ...1632
† vb. 2. to leave one's employment; to take recreation, to amuse oneself ...1633
† vb. 3. to corrupt morally; to deprave by sensuality ...1654.
DEBOIST
† adj. 1. debauched, dissolute ...1604
† adj. 2. damaged ...1641
† n. a debauchee ...1657 obs.
DEBOISTLY
† adv. debauchedly; corruptly ...1604 obs.
DEBOISTNESS
† n. the state of being debauched ...1628
DEBOLISH
† vb. to demolish, to sweep away ...1615
DE-BOLLOCK
vb. to castrate, usually in figurative sense of hurting or punishing severely ...1960s sl.
DEBONAIR
† adj. of gentle disposition, mild, meek; gracious, kindly; courteous, affable ...a1225
† n. 1. a kind, gracious person ...c1366 obs.
† n. 2. graciousness of manner ...1697
DEBONAIRSHIP
†* n. debonair character; mildness, gentleness, meekness; graciousness, kindness; courtesy, affability ...a1240
DEBONAIRTY
† n. debonair character; mildness, gentleness, meekness; graciousness, kindness; courtesy, affability ...a1225
DEBONARIOUS
†* adj. debonair; courteous ...c1485
DEBONARITY
† n. debonair character; mildness, gentleness, meekness; graciousness, kindness; courtesy, affability ...a1225
DEBONARY
† adj. debonair, courteous ...1402.
DEBORD
† n. a departure from right way ...1671 Sc.
† vb. 1. to go out of bounds, to deviate; to go beyond bounds, to go to excess ...c1620
† vb. 2. of a body of water: to pass beyond its borders or banks; to overflow ...1632
DEBORDING
† n. going beyond bounds, excess ...1635
DEBORDMENT
† n. going beyond bounds, excess ...1603
DEBOSH
n. 1. excessive indulgence, a debauch; extravagance, waste ...1828 Sc.
n. 2. a person who indulges in anything to excess; a debauchee ...1866 Sc.
vb. to indulge oneself in the use of anything to excess ...1731 Sc.
DEBOSHED
† adj. debauched; worthless ...1599 obs. exc. Sc.
DEBOSHING
adj. given to excessive indulgence; wasteful ...B1900 Sc.
DEBOUT
† vb. to thrust out, to expel, to oust ...1619
DEBOUTEMENT
† n. a thrusting forth, expulsion ...1481.
DEBOWEL
† vb. to disembowel ...1375
DEBRAID
†* vb. to snatch down ...1388
DEBREAK
†* vb. to break down ...1382
DEBRUISE
† vb. to break down, to break in pieces, to crush, to smash ...1297
DEBS
n. 1. depressants, tranquillizers, barbiturates ...1970s US drugs sl.
n. 2. amphetamines ...2000s US drugs sl.
n. 3. MDMA tablets ...2000s US drugs sl.
DEBS' DELIGHT
n. (mainly derogatory) an elegant and attractive young man in high society ...1934 Brit. sl.
DEBT
† adj. owed, due, owing ...c1340
† n. that which one is bound or ought to do; one's duty ...c1450 Sc.
DEBTABLE
†* adj. under pecuniary obligation, chargeable ...1516
DEBT-BIND
† vb. to bind by obligation, to render indebted ...a1608 nonce word
DEBT-BOUND † adj. 1. under obligation, bound by duty, obliged ...1513
† adj. 2. of things: obligatory, due, bounden ...1588
DEBT-BOUNDEN
† adj. under obligation, bound by duty, obliged ...1553
DEBTED
† adj. 1. of things: owed, due ...c1375
† adj. 2. of persons: under obligation; indebted ...c1425
DEBTFUL
† adj. 1. owed, bounden, due; dutiful ...c1425 chiefly Sc.
† adj. 2. indebted ...1649 chiefly Sc.
DEBTFULLY
† adv. duly, dutifully ...c1425 Sc.
DEBT OF NATURE
n. the necessity of dying, death ...1812
DEBT TO NATURE
n. the necessity of dying, death ...1635
DEBUCCINATE
† vb. to report or trumpet abroad ...1623
DEBUG
vb. to remove faults from a machine, a system, or now most commonly, a computer or its software ...1940s sl.
DEBUGGERABLE
adj. disreputable, unpleasant ...1930s sl.
DEBULLIATE
† vb. to bubble or boil over ...1656
DEBULLITION
† n. a bubbling or boiling over ...1727
DEBURSE
† vb. to pay out, to disburse ...1529 Sc.
DEBURSEMENT
† n. disbursement ...1637-50 Sc.
DEBURSING
† n. disbursement ...1598 Sc.
DEBUSS
vb. to get out of an omnibus ...Amer. World War I sl.
DEBUT
n. a first homosexual experience ...1950s sl.
DEBUTANTE
n. 1. a woman serving her first jail sentence ...1930s US criminals' sl.
n. 2. someone new to the homosexual life ...1950s sl.
DEC - DECZ
DECACHINNATE
† vb. to scorn ...1623
DECACUMINATE
† vb. to take off the top of anything ...1656
DECACUMINATED
† adj. having the tops lopped off ...1727
DECAD
n. 1. the number ten ...1616
n. 2. a decade ...1679
DECADAL
adj. relating to the number ten; belonging to a decade or a period of ten years ...1753
DECADARCH
n. in Greek antiquity: a commander of ten ...1794
DECADARCHY
n. in Greek antiquity: a ruling body of ten ...1849
DECADE
† vb. to fall down, to fail ...a1500 Sc.
DECADESCENT
adj. beginning or tending to decay ...1858 nonce word
DECADIC
adj. belonging to the system of counting by tens ...1838
DECAID
† vb. to fall down, to fail ...a1500 Sc.
DECALCATION
n. a treading or trampling down or hard ...1827
DECALOGIST
* n. one who expounds the decalogue or Ten Commandments ...1650
DECALOGUE
n. the Ten Commandments collectively as a body of law ...1382
DECALVATION
† n. a making bald by removal of hair ...1650
DECAN
† n. a chief or ruler of ten ...1569.
DECANT
† vb. to sing or say over and over again; to repeat often ...1674
DECANTATE
† adj. often repeated ...1620
† vb. 1. to sing or say over and over again; to repeat often ...1542
† vb. 2. to sing or speak often ...1659
DECAPILLATED
* adj. having the hair pulled or fallen off ...1727
DECAPILLATORY
adj. pert. to the removal of hair from the head or face ...1839 nonce word
DECAPITABLE
* adj. that can be decapitated ...1843
DECAPITATION
n. in US politics: summary dismissal from office ...1869
DECAPULATE
† vb. to pour out from one thing to another ...1623
DECAPULATION
† n. a pouring off ...1681.
DECARCH
n. in Greek antiquity: one of a ruling body of ten ...1656
DECARCHY
n. in Greek antiquity: a ruling body of ten ...a1638
DECARD
† vb. to reject, to set aside, to get rid of, to dismiss ...1605
DECART
† vb. to discard ...a1572 Sc.
DECAS
†* n. decay, ruin ...1393
DECASS
†* vb. to discharge, to dismiss, to cashier ...1579
DECATUR
n. the point of 8 in craps dice ...1910s US gambling usage
DECAUDALIZE
vb. to deprive of the tail ...1840 nonce word
DECAUDATE
vb. to deprive of the tail ...1864
DECAY
† n. 1. downfall, destruction, ruin ...1535
† n. 2. failure of payment or rent; arrears ...1546
† n. 3. falling off in quantity, volume, etc.; dwindling, decrease ...1636
† vb. 1. to fall off or decrease in number, volume, etc.; to dwindle away ...1489
† vb. 2. to cause to fall off or deteriorate ...1529
† vb. 3. to waste or ruin physically; to disintegrate, to dilapidate; to bring to decay or ruin ...1536
DECAYED
adj. drunk, fully intoxicated ...1960s Amer. sl.
DECAYS
† n. dilapidations; ruined remains, ruins, debris, detritus; rarely in singular ...1582
DECE
adj. pleasant, amenable ...1970s US sl.
DECEASE
n. 1. departure from life; death ...c1330
† n. 2. mortality, slaughter ...1513
DECEASED, THE
n. a dead person ...L15 euphemism
DECEASEFUL CARD
n. a sympathy card ...1967 Amer. dial. Black usage
DECEASE THIS WORLD
† vb. to die ...1515
DECEASING † n. death, decease ...1591
DECEASURE
†* n. decease, death ...1580
DECEDE
† vb. to depart; to give place, to yield ...1655
DECEDENT
† adj. departing, going away ...1727
n. a deceased person; a corpse ...L16
DECEIT
†* vb. to construct deceitfully, to forge a document ...1484
DECEITEOUS
†* adj. deceitful ...1481
DECEITEOUSLY
†* adv. deceitfully ...1481
DECEIVABLE
† adj. deceitful, deceptive ...1303
DECEIVABLENESS
† n. 1. deceitfulness, deceit; deceptiveness ...1526
* n. 2. liability to be deceived; fallibility ...1674
DECEIVABLY
† adv. deceitfully, fraudulently, falsely ...1387
DECEIVANCE
† n. deceit, deception ...c1330
DECEIVANT
†* adj. deceiving, deceitful, deceptive ...1393
†* n. a deceiver ...1393
DECEIVE
† vb. 1. to be or prove false to, to play false, to deal treacherously with; to betray ...a1300
† vb. 2. to cheat, to overreach; to defraud ...c1330
† vb. 3. to beguile, to wile away time, tediousness, etc. ...1591
DECEIVERY
n. deceit; a habit or course of deceit ...1842 Sc.
DECEMBERLY
† adj. resembling December in dreariness and darkness ...1765
DECEMNOVENAL
† adj. of nineteen years ...1588
DECEMNOVENARIAN
n. a man of the Nineteenth Century ...1863
DECEMNOVENARIANIZE
vb. to act the decemnovenarian ...1890
DECEMPEDAL
† adj. ten feet in length ...1656
DECEMPLEX
adj. tenfold ...Bk1897
DECENCE
† n. decency ...1678
DECENCY
† n. appropriateness or fitness to the circumstances or requirements of the case; fitness, seemliness, propriety ...1567
DECENER
† n. one in command of ten soldiers ...1555
DECENNAL
† adj. pert. to a period of ten years ...1648
DECENNALIAN
† adj. pertaining to a period of ten years ...1794
DECENNARY
adj. pert. to a period of ten years ...1855
n. a period of ten years ...1822
DECENNIAD
n. a space of ten years, a decade ...1864
DECENNIAL
adj. 1. pert. to a period of ten years ...1656
adj. 2. of persons: holding office for ten years ...1728
n. a tenth anniversary or its celebration ...1889
DECENNIALLY
adv. every ten years ...1874
DECENNIUM
n. a space of ten years, a decade ...1685
DECENNOVAL
† adj. pert. to nineteen years ...1681
DECENNOVARY
† adj. pert. to nineteen years ...1694
DECENNOVENNAL
† adj. pert. to nineteen years ...1686
DECENT
adj. 1. chaste ...M16
† adj. 2. comely, handsome ...1600
adj. 3. tolerable, fairly good, acceptable ...18C
adj. 4. kind, accommodating, likeable ...L18
adj. 5. an intensifier, both positive and negative ...1940s sl.
adj. 6. very good, excellent ...1960s US college sl.
adj. 7. dressed; clothed appropriately for the occasion
DECENTISH
adj. mediocre ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DECENTLY
† adv. suitably; fittingly ...1552
DECENTNESS
† n. decency, propriety ...1561
DECENT SHAKE
n. 1. equable treatment ...E19
n. 2. a fair or acceptable situation ...E19
DECEPER
† vb. to dissever, to separate ...1547
DECEPERATION
† n. separation, severance ...a1450
DECEPTIBILITY
† n. capacity for being deceived ...1665
DECEPTIBLE
† adj. apt to be deceived ...1646.
DECEPTIONAL
* adj. deceptive, deluding, illusory ...1830
DECEPTIONIST
n. one who performs feats of illusion; a juggler ...1883
DECEPTIOUS
†* adj. that tends to deceive, cheat, or mislead; deceptive, deluding, illusory ...1606
DECEPTIOUSLY
† adv. in such a way as to deceive, deceitfully, delusively ...1797
DECEPTITIOUS
* adj. of a deceptive kind or character; deluding, illusory ...1827
DECEPTIVITY
n. deceptiveness; a thing of deceptive character ...1843
DECEPTOR
† n. a deceiver ...1484
DECEPTORY
† adj. apt to deceive, deceptive, deluding, illusory ...c1430
DECEPTRESS
* n. a female deceiver ...1880
DECEPTURE
† n. fraud, deceit ...1855
DECERN
† vb. 1. to decide, to determine a matter disputed or doubtful ...c1425
† vb. 2. to discern; to distinguish or separate by their differences ...a1535
DECERNMENT
† n. decision; discernment, discrimination ...1586
DECERP
† vb. to pluck off or out; to extract, to excerpt; to tear apart ...1531
DECERPT
† vb. to pluck off or out; to extract, to excerpt ...a1612
DECERPTIBLE
†* adj. that may be cropped or plucked off ...1727
DECERPTION
†* n. a cropping off, or pulling away; that which is plucked off ...1657
DECERTATION
† n. contention, strife, contest; dispute ...1635
DECESS
* n. decrease, diminution ...1854
DECESSION
* n. departure, withdrawal; secession; deviation from a given standard; decrease, diminution ...1606
DECESSOR
† n. a predecessor ...1647
DECHARM
† vb. to undo the effect of a charm or spell; to disenchant ...a1600
DECHAY
† vb. to decay ...1549
DECHE
† vb. to daub; to smear ...a1000
DECHEERFUL
† adj. void of cheerfulness, melancholy, dejected ...1607 nonce word
DECIDE
†* vb. 1. to cut off, to separate ...1579
†* vb. 2. to fall off ...1657
DECIDEMENT
†* n. decision ...a1625
DECIDENCE
† n. 1. falling off, a shedding, as of deer antlers ...1646
† n. 2. falling off in strength, vigour, etc.; decline, a becoming worse ...1684
DECIDENCY
†* n. falling, failing, subsidence ...1651
DECIDENT
† adj. falling ...1674
DECIDUARY
* adj. deciduous ...1871
DECIDUITY
* n. deciduousness ...1846
DECIDUOUS
† adj. 1. falling down or off ...1656
†* adj. 2. sinking, declining ...1791
adj. 3. fleeting, transitory; perishing or disappearing after having served its purpose ...1811
DECIM
† n. a tenth part, tithe ...1638
DECIMAL
† adj. relating to tithes ...1641
DECIMATE
† n. tithing, tithe ...1641
† vb. 1. to exact a tenth or a tithe from; to tax to the amount of one-tenth ...1656
† vb. 2. to divide into tenths, to divide decimally ...1749.
DECIMATION
n. the exaction of tithes, or of a tax of one-tenth ...1549
DECIMATOR
† n. an exactor or receiver of tithes, or of taxes to the amount of one-tenth ...1673
DECIMESTRIAL
* adj. consisting of ten months ...1842
DECINARY
† adj. divisible by ten ...1650
DECIPHER
† n. description, delineation ...a1670
† vb. 1. to find out, to discover, to detect ...1528 obs.
† vb. 2. of actions, outward signs, etc.: to reveal, to make known, to indicate ...1529
† vb. 3. to represent verbally or pictorially; to describe, to delineate, to portray, to depict ...a1572
† vb. 4. to represent or express by some kind of written character, cipher, or figure ...1586
DECIPHERAGE
n. deciphering ...1851 nonce word
DECIPHERATION
n. deciphering ...1838 nonce word
DECIPHERESS
* n. a female who deciphers ...a1763
DECIRCINATE
† vb. to round off, to form into a circle; to draw a circle with a pair of compasses ...1656
DECIRCINATION
† n. forming into a circle ...1731
DECISE
† vb. to decide ...1538
DECISION
† n. a cutting off, separation ...1584
DECISIONAL
* adj. of the nature of a decision; decisive, conclusive ...1883
DECISOR
† n. one who decides causes or controversies; a decider, an arbitrator ...1563
DECISORY
†* adj. decisive ...1611
DECK
† n. 1. a covering ...1466
† n. 2. a pile of things laid flat upon each other ...1625
n. 3. a look, a glance ...1853 sl., orig. Anglo-Indian
n. 4. the floor, the ground ...M19 sl., orig. US
n. 5. the roof of a train or stagecoach ...M19 sl.
n. 6. the roof of a building or its highest floor at a stage of building ...20C sl.
n. 7. a pile of logs ...Bk1913 Amer. dial.
n. 8. a package containing narcotic drugs; a package of heroin ...1916 US sl.
n. 9. a pack of cigarettes ...1920s US prison sl.
n. 10. the street ...1950s US Black sl.
n. 11. the upper balcony of a theatre ...1965 Amer. dial.
† vb. 1. to array, to fit out, to equip ...a1500
† vb. 2. to cover; esp. to cover with garments, to clothe ...1513
vb. 3. to discard, to cast out ...1781 Eng. dial.
vb. 4. to ride on the roof of a freight car ...L19 US tramps' sl.
vb. 5. to see, to look at ...20C sl.
vb. 6. to drill through the top of a safe ...1920s US criminals' sl.
vb. 7. to knock down ...1945 sl., orig. US
vb. 8. of a man: to have sexual intercourse ...1960s sl.
vb. 9. to press down the accelerator pedal of a car; hence, to go fast ...1960s sl.
vb. 10. to ride a skateboard ...1990s sl., orig. US teen
DECKAGE
†* n. adornment, embellishment ...1642
DECK APE
n. a sailor whose duties keep him on the deck ...World War II Amer. sl.
DECK AT
vb. to feel disgust at food ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DECKED
adj. 1. well-dressed ...1960s US Black sl.
adj. 2. intoxicated by drink or drugs ...1960s US sl.
DECKED OUT
adj. intoxicated by drink or drugs ...1960s US sl.
DECKER
vb. to decorate, to bedeck with spangles ...1883 Eng. dial.
DECKING
† n. adornment, embellishment, ornament ...1531
DECKO
n. a look, a glance ...1894 Brit. sl., orig. army sl.
DECKS
n. 1. overalls ...1970 Amer. dial.
n. 2. sneakers, tennis shoes ...1970 Amer. dial.
DECKS AWASH
adj. drunk ...E20 US sl., orig. nautical
DECLAIM
†* vb. to discuss aloud; to debate ...1410-25
DECLARATION
† n. the act of making clear or clearing up anything obscure or not understood; elucidation, explanation, interpretation ...c1374
DECLARATIVE
† adj. 1. making clear, manifest, or evident ...a1536
† adj. 2. of a person: declaring oneself; declaring or uttering one's opinion; communicative ...1647
DECLARATOR
† n. one who declares or makes manifest; an informer ...a1577
DECLARATURE
†* n. declaration ...1729
DECLARE
† vb. 1. to make clear or plain anything that is obscure or imperfectly understood; to clear up, to explain, to elucidate, to interpret ...c1325
† vb. 2. to manifest, to make known; to describe, to state in detail; to recount, to relate ...c1340
† vb. 3. to clear a person of a charge or imputation ...1460
DECLAREMENT
† n. 1. declaration, express or formal statement; the act of declaring against anything ...1633
† n. 2. the act of showing or setting forth; exposition, explanation, manifestation, declaring ...1646
DECLARER
† n. one who explains or interprets ...1527
DECLARINGLY
* adv. in a manner that declares, manifests, or demonstrates ...1581
DECLENSION
n. 1. deviation or declining from a standard; falling away from one's allegiance, apostasy ...1594
n. 2. the state of declining or sinking into a lower of inferior condition; gradual diminution, deterioration, or decay; decline ...1602
n. 3. the act of declining, or deviating from a vertical or horizontal position; slope, inclination; a declining or sinking into a lower position, as of the sun towards setting ...1640-4
* n. 4. the act of declining; courteous refusal ...1817
DECLINAL
†* adj. capable of being declined ...1509
* n. the act of declining; courteous refusal ...1837
DECLINANT
adj. declining ...1893 nonce use
† n. one who is declining, as in fortunes, etc. ...a1734
DECLINATION
† n. 1. a sinking into a lower position; descent towards setting ...1503
† n. 2. a turning aside, swerving, deviation from a standard; a falling away ...1533
† n. 3. the gradual falling off from a condition of prosperity or vigour; decline; decay ...1533
n. 4. a leaning, bending, or sloping downwards; slope, inclination from the vertical or horizontal position ...1594
† n. 5. the withholding of acceptance; non-acceptance, modest or courteous refusal ...1612-5 obs. exc. Sc.
DECLINATOR
† n. one who declines or refuses; a dissentient ...1606
DECLINATORY
adj. that declines; expressing refusal ...1673
DECLINATURE
n. the act of declining or refusing; courteous refusal ...1842
DECLINE
* n. 1. a downward incline, a slope ...1538
n. 2. the end ...1821 Sc.
† vb. 1. to turn or bend aside; to deviate; to turn away ...c1325
† vb. 2. to lower, to bring down, to depress, to bring low, to degrade, to debase ...a1400-50
† vb. 3. to come down, to fall, to descend, to sink ...a1400-50
† vb. 4. to turn aside from to get or keep out of the way of; to avoid, to shun ...a1400-50
† vb. 5. to undervalue, to disparage, to depreciate ...1509 obs.
† vb. 6. to incline or lean to ...1541
† vb. 7. to turn aside from the subject, in speaking or writing; to digress ...1544
† vb. 8. to turn a person aside from or to a course of conduct, from duty, etc.; to divert ...a1555
† vb. 9. to say or recite formally or in definite order ...1594
† vb. 10. to abandon, to forsake, to give up a practice ...1672
DECLINED
adj. brought low, debased, decayed ...1591 poetic
DECLINEMENT
†* n. the act of declining or refusing; courteous refusal ...1680
DECLINER
† n. one who deviates, or falls away from his duty or allegiance, or from an approved standard of conduct or belief ...1601
DECLINING
† n. avoidance ...1607
DECLIVATE
adj. descending; declining; inclining downward ...1881
DECLIVE
† adj. sloping downwards ...1635
DECLIVITOUS
adj. having a (considerable) declivity or slope; steep ...1799
DECLIVITY
n. 1. downward slope or inclination of a hill, etc. ...1612
n. 2. a downward slope ...1695
DECLIVOUS
adj. having a downward inclination; sloping, slanting ...1684
DECLIVY
†* adj. sloping downwards ...1609
DECLOSE
†* vb. to disclose ...a1400
DECOCT
† adj. 1. decocted; subjected to heat; digested ...c1420
† adj. 2. bankrupt ...1529
†* n. a decoction ...1551
† vb. 1. to prepare as food by the agency of fire; to boil, to cook ...c1420
† vb. 2. to digest in the stomach ...1533
† vb. 3. to boil down or away; to concentrate by boiling ...1538
† vb. 4. to warm up, as in cooking ...1599
†* vb. 5. to prepare, to devise, to concoct ...1602
† vb. 6. to diminish, to consume, to waste ...1629
DECOCTIBLE
* adj. capable of being decocted; easy to be boiled ...1656
DECOCTION
† n. 1. digestion ...1533
† n. 2. reduction by evaporation in boiling, boiling down; reduction ...1650
DECOCTIVE
* adj. pert. to decoction ...1727
DECOCTOR
†* n. one who wastes or squanders; a ruined spendthrift ...1615
DECODE
vb. to explain ...World War II Amer. sl.
DECOGNIZE
† vb. to cease or fail to recognize ...1658-9 nonce word
DECOIR
adj. 1500-20 Sc. obs. - comely, beautiful
DECOLL
vb. 1648 obs. - to behead
DECOLLATE
adj. c1470 obs. or arch.- beheaded
vb. 1599 - to sever at the neck; to behead
DECOLLATED
adj. 1662 - severed at the neck; beheaded, decapitated
DECOLLATION
n. 1387 - the act of beheading; the fact of being beheaded
DECOLORATE
adj. 1882 - having lost its colour
vb. 1. 1623 obs. - to discolour, to stain
vb. 2. a1846 - to deprive of colour
DECOLORATION
n. 1. 1623 obs. - discoloration, a staining
n. 2. 1640 - deprivation or loss of colour
DECOLORIZATION
n. 1871 - the act of depriving of its colour
DECOLOUR
vb. 1. c1618 obs. - to discolour
vb. 2. 1630 - to pollute, to defile
vb. 3. 1831 - to deprive of colour
DECOLOURED
adj. c1430 obs. rare - cut low in the neck; low-necked
DECOLOURIZE
vb. 1836-9 - to deprive of colour
DECOMBOBLATE
vb. 1965 Amer. dial. - to disarrange; to put out of order; to confuse, to perplex, to disconcert
DECOMPT
† n. account, reckoning ...1584 Sc.
DECONCERT
†* vb. to disconcert, to disarrange, to disorder ...1715
DECONSIDER
* vb. to treat with too little consideration, to disrespect ...1881
DECOR
† n. comeliness, beauty, ornament ...1656
DECORAMENT
* n. decoration, ornament, an adorning ...1727
DECORATE
† adj. adorned, decorated; ornate ...1460 obs. or arch.
† vb. to adorn, to beautify, to embellish; to grace, to honour ...1530 obs. or arch.
DECORATE ONE'S SHOES
vb. to vomit ...20C teen & high school sl.
DECORATE THE MAHOGANY
vb. to put money on the table; hence, to pay out money or to gamble ...1912 Amer. dial.
DECORATE THE POT
vb. in playing cards: to put money in the pot ...1967 Amer. jocular
DECORATION DAY PLANT
n. a peony ...1965 Amer. dial.
DECORATIONIST
n. a professional decorator ...1828
DECORATORY
* adj. pert. to decoration; decorative ...1889
DECORE
† adj. comely, beautiful ...1500-20 Sc.
† n. grace, honour, glory, beauty, adornment ...1513
† vb. to decorate, to adorn, to embellish ...1490 obs. or arch.
DECOREMENT
† n. decoration, ornamentation; an ornament, an embellishment ...1587
DECORIST n. an aesthete; one attached to artistic properties ...1839 nonce word
DECOROUS
† adj. seemly, suitable, appropriate ...1664
DECOROUSNESS
† n. seemliness, fitness, suitability, appropriateness ...1678
DECORPORATE
† vb. to kill or make bodiless ...1660
DECORPORATION
† n. a making bodiless ...1660
DECORRE
† vb. to run or flow away; to pass or haste away; to end, to cease to exist ...1377
DECORTICATE
vb. to divest of what conceals, to expose, to disclose, to reveal ...1660
DECORUM
† n. 1. a fitting or appropriate act ...1601
† n. 2. orderly condition; orderliness ...1610
† n. 3. beauty arising from fitness, or from absence of the incongruous; comeliness; grace; gracefulness ...1613
DECOUNT
† vb. to set down in a reckoning or account; to reckon ...1762
DECOUPLE
†* vb. to uncouple ...1602
DECOURSE
† n. downward course; descent ...1585
DECOURT
† vb. to expel or banish from court ...c1610
DECOVERED
† adj. uncovered ...1658
DECOY
† n. 1. a swindler, a sharper; an impostor or 'shark' who lives by his wits at the expense of his dupes ...1618
n. 2. one who entices, allures, or inveigles another into some trap, deception or evil situation ...1638
DECOY-DUCK
n. a person who entices another into danger or mischief ...1625
DECRASSIFY
* vb. to divest of what is crass, gross, or material; to purify, to refine ...1855
DECREASE
† n. the wane of the moon ...1626
DECREATION
† n. the undoing of creation; depriving of existence; annihilation, utter destruction ...1647
DECREATOR
† n. one who uncreates, destroys, or annihilates ...1678
DECREE
† vb. to determine, to resolve, to decide to do something ...1526 obs. or arch.
DECREET
†* n. a decision, determination ...c1400
† vb. 1. to pronounce a decision or judgement ...1563
† vb. 2. to decide, to determine, to resolve to do something ...1582-8
DECREMENT
n. 1. the wane of the moon ...1610
n. 2. the fact of decreasing or growing gradually less; decrease, diminution, lessening, waste, loss ...1621
† n. 3. bodily decay; wasting away ...1646
DECREPIDITY
†* n. decrepitude, a state of feebleness and decay, esp. that due to old age; senility ...1760
DECREPIT
adj. wasted or worn out with old age, decayed and enfeebled with infirmities; old and feeble; senile ...c1450
n. an infirm old person ...1578
DECREPITAGE
† n. decrepitude; a state of feebleness and decay, esp. that due to old age; senility ...1670
DECREPITANCY
† n. decrepitude; a state of feebleness and decay, esp. that due to old age; senility ...1670
DECREPITNESS
† n. decrepitude; a state of feebleness and decay, esp. that due to old age; senility ...1601
DECREPITUDE
n. the state or condition of being decrepit; a state of feebleness and decay, esp. that due to old age; senility ...1603
DECREPITY
† n. decrepitude; a state of feebleness and decay, esp. that due to old age; senility ...1576
DECRESCENCE
* n. a waning state or condition ..1872
DECRESCENT
adj. 1. of the moon: waning ...1610
adj. 2. decreasing, growing gradually less ...1811
n. the waning moon ...1616
DECRETAL
†* adj. decisive, definitive ...1608
DECRETALIARCH
† n. the lord of decretals, the Pope ...1656
DECRETION
† n. decrease, diminution ...1635
DECRETORIAN
† adj. decisive, conclusive ...1679
DECRETORILY
† adv. positively, decisively ...1660
DECRETORY
† adj. such as to decide the question; decisive, determinative ...1674
DECREW
†* vb. to decrease, to wane ...1596
DECRIAL
* n. open disparagement; depreciation ...1711
DECRIED
adj. cried down, disparaged openly ...1655
DECRIMENT
n. decoration, ornament ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DECRIMINATE
†* vb. to denounce as a criminal, to accuse ...1670
DECRIPPIT
n. a cripple, a lame person; one who is decrepit ...1887 Eng. dial.
DECROTT
† vb. to clean from dirt, to remove dirt from ...1653 nonce word
DECRY
vb. 1. to denounce, to condemn, to suppress, or to depreciate by proclamation; to reduce the value of money ...1617
vb. 2. to cry out against; to disparage or condemn openly; to attack the credit or reputation of; to depreciate ...1641
DECUBATION
†* n. the act of lying down ...1664
DECULCATE
† vb. to tread or trample upon ...1623
DECULT
† vb. to hide privily ...1623
DECUMAN
adj. very large, immense; usually of waves ...1659
DECUMANAL
†* adj. very large, immense: usually of waves ...1652
DECUMBENCE
n. a lying down, reclining ...1646
DECUMBENCY
n. 1. lying down, reclining ...1646
n. 2. a taking to one's bed ...1651
DECUMBENT
† adj. 1. lying down, reclining ...1656 rare or obs.
† adj. 2. lying in bed through illness; bedridden ...1689
† n. one lying ill in bed ...1641 obs.
DECUMBITURE
† n. 1. a taking to one's bed through illness ...1647
† n. 2. lying down, reclining ...1670
DECUNT
vb. to withdraw the penis from the vagina ...L19 Brit. sl.
DECUPLATE
† adj. multiplied by ten ...1690
vb. to increase or multiply by ten ...1690
DECUPLATION
† n. multiplication by ten, increase tenfold ...1690
DECUPLE
adj. ten times as much; tenfold ...1613
n. a number or quantity ten times another; a tenfold amount ...c1425
vb. to increase or multiply by ten ...1674
DECURION
n. a cavalry officer in command of a 'decuria' or company of ten horse; also, a commander or captain of ten men ...1382
DECURRENCE
† n. the act or state of running down; downward flow or course; lapse of time ...1659
DECURRENCY
† n. the act or state of running down; downward flow or course; lapse of time ...1651
DECURRENT
† adj. running or flowing down ...1432-50
DECURSE
† n. downward course, lapse of time ...1593
DECURSION
† n. 1. the act of running, flowing, or passing downwards ...c1630
† n. 2. a course or passage of time ...1664
DECURT
† adj. short ...1623
† vb. to cut down, to shorten, to dock, to curtail, to abridge; to summarize ...1550
DECURTATE
* adj. cut down, shortened, abridged, curtailed ...a1638
† vb. 1. to shave, to trim the hair ...1599
† vb. 2. to cut down, to shorten, to dock, to curtail, to abridge...1623
DECURTATION
† n. shortening; abridging, cutting down ...1652
DECURVATION
n. the condition of being bent downwards ...1881
DECURVATURE
n. the condition of being bent downwards ...1887
DECURVE
* vb. to curve or bend down ...1835
DECUS
n. a crown-piece, five shillings ...1688 sl.
DECUSS
* vb. to cross, to intersect, to lie across, so as to form a figure like the letter X ...1782
DECUSSANT
†* adj. intersecting ...1685
DECUSSATE
adj. having the form of an X ...1825
vb. to cross, to intersect, to lie across, so as to form a figure like the letter X ...1658
DECUSSATION
n. the crossing of lines, rays, etc. so as to form a figure like the letter X; intersection ...1656
DECUSSATIVE
adj. 1658 obs. rare - crossed over each other, intersecting, cross-shaped
DECUSSION
n. 1664 obs. rare - a shaking down or off; a dislodging or removing by shaking
DECUTE
vb. 1623 obs. - to cut off
DECUTIENT
adj. 1656 - that shakes or beats down
† vb. to scorn ...1623
DECACUMINATE
† vb. to take off the top of anything ...1656
DECACUMINATED
† adj. having the tops lopped off ...1727
DECAD
n. 1. the number ten ...1616
n. 2. a decade ...1679
DECADAL
adj. relating to the number ten; belonging to a decade or a period of ten years ...1753
DECADARCH
n. in Greek antiquity: a commander of ten ...1794
DECADARCHY
n. in Greek antiquity: a ruling body of ten ...1849
DECADE
† vb. to fall down, to fail ...a1500 Sc.
DECADESCENT
adj. beginning or tending to decay ...1858 nonce word
DECADIC
adj. belonging to the system of counting by tens ...1838
DECAID
† vb. to fall down, to fail ...a1500 Sc.
DECALCATION
n. a treading or trampling down or hard ...1827
DECALOGIST
* n. one who expounds the decalogue or Ten Commandments ...1650
DECALOGUE
n. the Ten Commandments collectively as a body of law ...1382
DECALVATION
† n. a making bald by removal of hair ...1650
DECAN
† n. a chief or ruler of ten ...1569.
DECANT
† vb. to sing or say over and over again; to repeat often ...1674
DECANTATE
† adj. often repeated ...1620
† vb. 1. to sing or say over and over again; to repeat often ...1542
† vb. 2. to sing or speak often ...1659
DECAPILLATED
* adj. having the hair pulled or fallen off ...1727
DECAPILLATORY
adj. pert. to the removal of hair from the head or face ...1839 nonce word
DECAPITABLE
* adj. that can be decapitated ...1843
DECAPITATION
n. in US politics: summary dismissal from office ...1869
DECAPULATE
† vb. to pour out from one thing to another ...1623
DECAPULATION
† n. a pouring off ...1681.
DECARCH
n. in Greek antiquity: one of a ruling body of ten ...1656
DECARCHY
n. in Greek antiquity: a ruling body of ten ...a1638
DECARD
† vb. to reject, to set aside, to get rid of, to dismiss ...1605
DECART
† vb. to discard ...a1572 Sc.
DECAS
†* n. decay, ruin ...1393
DECASS
†* vb. to discharge, to dismiss, to cashier ...1579
DECATUR
n. the point of 8 in craps dice ...1910s US gambling usage
DECAUDALIZE
vb. to deprive of the tail ...1840 nonce word
DECAUDATE
vb. to deprive of the tail ...1864
DECAY
† n. 1. downfall, destruction, ruin ...1535
† n. 2. failure of payment or rent; arrears ...1546
† n. 3. falling off in quantity, volume, etc.; dwindling, decrease ...1636
† vb. 1. to fall off or decrease in number, volume, etc.; to dwindle away ...1489
† vb. 2. to cause to fall off or deteriorate ...1529
† vb. 3. to waste or ruin physically; to disintegrate, to dilapidate; to bring to decay or ruin ...1536
DECAYED
adj. drunk, fully intoxicated ...1960s Amer. sl.
DECAYS
† n. dilapidations; ruined remains, ruins, debris, detritus; rarely in singular ...1582
DECE
adj. pleasant, amenable ...1970s US sl.
DECEASE
n. 1. departure from life; death ...c1330
† n. 2. mortality, slaughter ...1513
DECEASED, THE
n. a dead person ...L15 euphemism
DECEASEFUL CARD
n. a sympathy card ...1967 Amer. dial. Black usage
DECEASE THIS WORLD
† vb. to die ...1515
DECEASING † n. death, decease ...1591
DECEASURE
†* n. decease, death ...1580
DECEDE
† vb. to depart; to give place, to yield ...1655
DECEDENT
† adj. departing, going away ...1727
n. a deceased person; a corpse ...L16
DECEIT
†* vb. to construct deceitfully, to forge a document ...1484
DECEITEOUS
†* adj. deceitful ...1481
DECEITEOUSLY
†* adv. deceitfully ...1481
DECEIVABLE
† adj. deceitful, deceptive ...1303
DECEIVABLENESS
† n. 1. deceitfulness, deceit; deceptiveness ...1526
* n. 2. liability to be deceived; fallibility ...1674
DECEIVABLY
† adv. deceitfully, fraudulently, falsely ...1387
DECEIVANCE
† n. deceit, deception ...c1330
DECEIVANT
†* adj. deceiving, deceitful, deceptive ...1393
†* n. a deceiver ...1393
DECEIVE
† vb. 1. to be or prove false to, to play false, to deal treacherously with; to betray ...a1300
† vb. 2. to cheat, to overreach; to defraud ...c1330
† vb. 3. to beguile, to wile away time, tediousness, etc. ...1591
DECEIVERY
n. deceit; a habit or course of deceit ...1842 Sc.
DECEMBERLY
† adj. resembling December in dreariness and darkness ...1765
DECEMNOVENAL
† adj. of nineteen years ...1588
DECEMNOVENARIAN
n. a man of the Nineteenth Century ...1863
DECEMNOVENARIANIZE
vb. to act the decemnovenarian ...1890
DECEMPEDAL
† adj. ten feet in length ...1656
DECEMPLEX
adj. tenfold ...Bk1897
DECENCE
† n. decency ...1678
DECENCY
† n. appropriateness or fitness to the circumstances or requirements of the case; fitness, seemliness, propriety ...1567
DECENER
† n. one in command of ten soldiers ...1555
DECENNAL
† adj. pert. to a period of ten years ...1648
DECENNALIAN
† adj. pertaining to a period of ten years ...1794
DECENNARY
adj. pert. to a period of ten years ...1855
n. a period of ten years ...1822
DECENNIAD
n. a space of ten years, a decade ...1864
DECENNIAL
adj. 1. pert. to a period of ten years ...1656
adj. 2. of persons: holding office for ten years ...1728
n. a tenth anniversary or its celebration ...1889
DECENNIALLY
adv. every ten years ...1874
DECENNIUM
n. a space of ten years, a decade ...1685
DECENNOVAL
† adj. pert. to nineteen years ...1681
DECENNOVARY
† adj. pert. to nineteen years ...1694
DECENNOVENNAL
† adj. pert. to nineteen years ...1686
DECENT
adj. 1. chaste ...M16
† adj. 2. comely, handsome ...1600
adj. 3. tolerable, fairly good, acceptable ...18C
adj. 4. kind, accommodating, likeable ...L18
adj. 5. an intensifier, both positive and negative ...1940s sl.
adj. 6. very good, excellent ...1960s US college sl.
adj. 7. dressed; clothed appropriately for the occasion
DECENTISH
adj. mediocre ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
DECENTLY
† adv. suitably; fittingly ...1552
DECENTNESS
† n. decency, propriety ...1561
DECENT SHAKE
n. 1. equable treatment ...E19
n. 2. a fair or acceptable situation ...E19
DECEPER
† vb. to dissever, to separate ...1547
DECEPERATION
† n. separation, severance ...a1450
DECEPTIBILITY
† n. capacity for being deceived ...1665
DECEPTIBLE
† adj. apt to be deceived ...1646.
DECEPTIONAL
* adj. deceptive, deluding, illusory ...1830
DECEPTIONIST
n. one who performs feats of illusion; a juggler ...1883
DECEPTIOUS
†* adj. that tends to deceive, cheat, or mislead; deceptive, deluding, illusory ...1606
DECEPTIOUSLY
† adv. in such a way as to deceive, deceitfully, delusively ...1797
DECEPTITIOUS
* adj. of a deceptive kind or character; deluding, illusory ...1827
DECEPTIVITY
n. deceptiveness; a thing of deceptive character ...1843
DECEPTOR
† n. a deceiver ...1484
DECEPTORY
† adj. apt to deceive, deceptive, deluding, illusory ...c1430
DECEPTRESS
* n. a female deceiver ...1880
DECEPTURE
† n. fraud, deceit ...1855
DECERN
† vb. 1. to decide, to determine a matter disputed or doubtful ...c1425
† vb. 2. to discern; to distinguish or separate by their differences ...a1535
DECERNMENT
† n. decision; discernment, discrimination ...1586
DECERP
† vb. to pluck off or out; to extract, to excerpt; to tear apart ...1531
DECERPT
† vb. to pluck off or out; to extract, to excerpt ...a1612
DECERPTIBLE
†* adj. that may be cropped or plucked off ...1727
DECERPTION
†* n. a cropping off, or pulling away; that which is plucked off ...1657
DECERTATION
† n. contention, strife, contest; dispute ...1635
DECESS
* n. decrease, diminution ...1854
DECESSION
* n. departure, withdrawal; secession; deviation from a given standard; decrease, diminution ...1606
DECESSOR
† n. a predecessor ...1647
DECHARM
† vb. to undo the effect of a charm or spell; to disenchant ...a1600
DECHAY
† vb. to decay ...1549
DECHE
† vb. to daub; to smear ...a1000
DECHEERFUL
† adj. void of cheerfulness, melancholy, dejected ...1607 nonce word
DECIDE
†* vb. 1. to cut off, to separate ...1579
†* vb. 2. to fall off ...1657
DECIDEMENT
†* n. decision ...a1625
DECIDENCE
† n. 1. falling off, a shedding, as of deer antlers ...1646
† n. 2. falling off in strength, vigour, etc.; decline, a becoming worse ...1684
DECIDENCY
†* n. falling, failing, subsidence ...1651
DECIDENT
† adj. falling ...1674
DECIDUARY
* adj. deciduous ...1871
DECIDUITY
* n. deciduousness ...1846
DECIDUOUS
† adj. 1. falling down or off ...1656
†* adj. 2. sinking, declining ...1791
adj. 3. fleeting, transitory; perishing or disappearing after having served its purpose ...1811
DECIM
† n. a tenth part, tithe ...1638
DECIMAL
† adj. relating to tithes ...1641
DECIMATE
† n. tithing, tithe ...1641
† vb. 1. to exact a tenth or a tithe from; to tax to the amount of one-tenth ...1656
† vb. 2. to divide into tenths, to divide decimally ...1749.
DECIMATION
n. the exaction of tithes, or of a tax of one-tenth ...1549
DECIMATOR
† n. an exactor or receiver of tithes, or of taxes to the amount of one-tenth ...1673
DECIMESTRIAL
* adj. consisting of ten months ...1842
DECINARY
† adj. divisible by ten ...1650
DECIPHER
† n. description, delineation ...a1670
† vb. 1. to find out, to discover, to detect ...1528 obs.
† vb. 2. of actions, outward signs, etc.: to reveal, to make known, to indicate ...1529
† vb. 3. to represent verbally or pictorially; to describe, to delineate, to portray, to depict ...a1572
† vb. 4. to represent or express by some kind of written character, cipher, or figure ...1586
DECIPHERAGE
n. deciphering ...1851 nonce word
DECIPHERATION
n. deciphering ...1838 nonce word
DECIPHERESS
* n. a female who deciphers ...a1763
DECIRCINATE
† vb. to round off, to form into a circle; to draw a circle with a pair of compasses ...1656
DECIRCINATION
† n. forming into a circle ...1731
DECISE
† vb. to decide ...1538
DECISION
† n. a cutting off, separation ...1584
DECISIONAL
* adj. of the nature of a decision; decisive, conclusive ...1883
DECISOR
† n. one who decides causes or controversies; a decider, an arbitrator ...1563
DECISORY
†* adj. decisive ...1611
DECK
† n. 1. a covering ...1466
† n. 2. a pile of things laid flat upon each other ...1625
n. 3. a look, a glance ...1853 sl., orig. Anglo-Indian
n. 4. the floor, the ground ...M19 sl., orig. US
n. 5. the roof of a train or stagecoach ...M19 sl.
n. 6. the roof of a building or its highest floor at a stage of building ...20C sl.
n. 7. a pile of logs ...Bk1913 Amer. dial.
n. 8. a package containing narcotic drugs; a package of heroin ...1916 US sl.
n. 9. a pack of cigarettes ...1920s US prison sl.
n. 10. the street ...1950s US Black sl.
n. 11. the upper balcony of a theatre ...1965 Amer. dial.
† vb. 1. to array, to fit out, to equip ...a1500
† vb. 2. to cover; esp. to cover with garments, to clothe ...1513
vb. 3. to discard, to cast out ...1781 Eng. dial.
vb. 4. to ride on the roof of a freight car ...L19 US tramps' sl.
vb. 5. to see, to look at ...20C sl.
vb. 6. to drill through the top of a safe ...1920s US criminals' sl.
vb. 7. to knock down ...1945 sl., orig. US
vb. 8. of a man: to have sexual intercourse ...1960s sl.
vb. 9. to press down the accelerator pedal of a car; hence, to go fast ...1960s sl.
vb. 10. to ride a skateboard ...1990s sl., orig. US teen
DECKAGE
†* n. adornment, embellishment ...1642
DECK APE
n. a sailor whose duties keep him on the deck ...World War II Amer. sl.
DECK AT
vb. to feel disgust at food ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DECKED
adj. 1. well-dressed ...1960s US Black sl.
adj. 2. intoxicated by drink or drugs ...1960s US sl.
DECKED OUT
adj. intoxicated by drink or drugs ...1960s US sl.
DECKER
vb. to decorate, to bedeck with spangles ...1883 Eng. dial.
DECKING
† n. adornment, embellishment, ornament ...1531
DECKO
n. a look, a glance ...1894 Brit. sl., orig. army sl.
DECKS
n. 1. overalls ...1970 Amer. dial.
n. 2. sneakers, tennis shoes ...1970 Amer. dial.
DECKS AWASH
adj. drunk ...E20 US sl., orig. nautical
DECLAIM
†* vb. to discuss aloud; to debate ...1410-25
DECLARATION
† n. the act of making clear or clearing up anything obscure or not understood; elucidation, explanation, interpretation ...c1374
DECLARATIVE
† adj. 1. making clear, manifest, or evident ...a1536
† adj. 2. of a person: declaring oneself; declaring or uttering one's opinion; communicative ...1647
DECLARATOR
† n. one who declares or makes manifest; an informer ...a1577
DECLARATURE
†* n. declaration ...1729
DECLARE
† vb. 1. to make clear or plain anything that is obscure or imperfectly understood; to clear up, to explain, to elucidate, to interpret ...c1325
† vb. 2. to manifest, to make known; to describe, to state in detail; to recount, to relate ...c1340
† vb. 3. to clear a person of a charge or imputation ...1460
DECLAREMENT
† n. 1. declaration, express or formal statement; the act of declaring against anything ...1633
† n. 2. the act of showing or setting forth; exposition, explanation, manifestation, declaring ...1646
DECLARER
† n. one who explains or interprets ...1527
DECLARINGLY
* adv. in a manner that declares, manifests, or demonstrates ...1581
DECLENSION
n. 1. deviation or declining from a standard; falling away from one's allegiance, apostasy ...1594
n. 2. the state of declining or sinking into a lower of inferior condition; gradual diminution, deterioration, or decay; decline ...1602
n. 3. the act of declining, or deviating from a vertical or horizontal position; slope, inclination; a declining or sinking into a lower position, as of the sun towards setting ...1640-4
* n. 4. the act of declining; courteous refusal ...1817
DECLINAL
†* adj. capable of being declined ...1509
* n. the act of declining; courteous refusal ...1837
DECLINANT
adj. declining ...1893 nonce use
† n. one who is declining, as in fortunes, etc. ...a1734
DECLINATION
† n. 1. a sinking into a lower position; descent towards setting ...1503
† n. 2. a turning aside, swerving, deviation from a standard; a falling away ...1533
† n. 3. the gradual falling off from a condition of prosperity or vigour; decline; decay ...1533
n. 4. a leaning, bending, or sloping downwards; slope, inclination from the vertical or horizontal position ...1594
† n. 5. the withholding of acceptance; non-acceptance, modest or courteous refusal ...1612-5 obs. exc. Sc.
DECLINATOR
† n. one who declines or refuses; a dissentient ...1606
DECLINATORY
adj. that declines; expressing refusal ...1673
DECLINATURE
n. the act of declining or refusing; courteous refusal ...1842
DECLINE
* n. 1. a downward incline, a slope ...1538
n. 2. the end ...1821 Sc.
† vb. 1. to turn or bend aside; to deviate; to turn away ...c1325
† vb. 2. to lower, to bring down, to depress, to bring low, to degrade, to debase ...a1400-50
† vb. 3. to come down, to fall, to descend, to sink ...a1400-50
† vb. 4. to turn aside from to get or keep out of the way of; to avoid, to shun ...a1400-50
† vb. 5. to undervalue, to disparage, to depreciate ...1509 obs.
† vb. 6. to incline or lean to ...1541
† vb. 7. to turn aside from the subject, in speaking or writing; to digress ...1544
† vb. 8. to turn a person aside from or to a course of conduct, from duty, etc.; to divert ...a1555
† vb. 9. to say or recite formally or in definite order ...1594
† vb. 10. to abandon, to forsake, to give up a practice ...1672
DECLINED
adj. brought low, debased, decayed ...1591 poetic
DECLINEMENT
†* n. the act of declining or refusing; courteous refusal ...1680
DECLINER
† n. one who deviates, or falls away from his duty or allegiance, or from an approved standard of conduct or belief ...1601
DECLINING
† n. avoidance ...1607
DECLIVATE
adj. descending; declining; inclining downward ...1881
DECLIVE
† adj. sloping downwards ...1635
DECLIVITOUS
adj. having a (considerable) declivity or slope; steep ...1799
DECLIVITY
n. 1. downward slope or inclination of a hill, etc. ...1612
n. 2. a downward slope ...1695
DECLIVOUS
adj. having a downward inclination; sloping, slanting ...1684
DECLIVY
†* adj. sloping downwards ...1609
DECLOSE
†* vb. to disclose ...a1400
DECOCT
† adj. 1. decocted; subjected to heat; digested ...c1420
† adj. 2. bankrupt ...1529
†* n. a decoction ...1551
† vb. 1. to prepare as food by the agency of fire; to boil, to cook ...c1420
† vb. 2. to digest in the stomach ...1533
† vb. 3. to boil down or away; to concentrate by boiling ...1538
† vb. 4. to warm up, as in cooking ...1599
†* vb. 5. to prepare, to devise, to concoct ...1602
† vb. 6. to diminish, to consume, to waste ...1629
DECOCTIBLE
* adj. capable of being decocted; easy to be boiled ...1656
DECOCTION
† n. 1. digestion ...1533
† n. 2. reduction by evaporation in boiling, boiling down; reduction ...1650
DECOCTIVE
* adj. pert. to decoction ...1727
DECOCTOR
†* n. one who wastes or squanders; a ruined spendthrift ...1615
DECODE
vb. to explain ...World War II Amer. sl.
DECOGNIZE
† vb. to cease or fail to recognize ...1658-9 nonce word
DECOIR
adj. 1500-20 Sc. obs. - comely, beautiful
DECOLL
vb. 1648 obs. - to behead
DECOLLATE
adj. c1470 obs. or arch.- beheaded
vb. 1599 - to sever at the neck; to behead
DECOLLATED
adj. 1662 - severed at the neck; beheaded, decapitated
DECOLLATION
n. 1387 - the act of beheading; the fact of being beheaded
DECOLORATE
adj. 1882 - having lost its colour
vb. 1. 1623 obs. - to discolour, to stain
vb. 2. a1846 - to deprive of colour
DECOLORATION
n. 1. 1623 obs. - discoloration, a staining
n. 2. 1640 - deprivation or loss of colour
DECOLORIZATION
n. 1871 - the act of depriving of its colour
DECOLOUR
vb. 1. c1618 obs. - to discolour
vb. 2. 1630 - to pollute, to defile
vb. 3. 1831 - to deprive of colour
DECOLOURED
adj. c1430 obs. rare - cut low in the neck; low-necked
DECOLOURIZE
vb. 1836-9 - to deprive of colour
DECOMBOBLATE
vb. 1965 Amer. dial. - to disarrange; to put out of order; to confuse, to perplex, to disconcert
DECOMPT
† n. account, reckoning ...1584 Sc.
DECONCERT
†* vb. to disconcert, to disarrange, to disorder ...1715
DECONSIDER
* vb. to treat with too little consideration, to disrespect ...1881
DECOR
† n. comeliness, beauty, ornament ...1656
DECORAMENT
* n. decoration, ornament, an adorning ...1727
DECORATE
† adj. adorned, decorated; ornate ...1460 obs. or arch.
† vb. to adorn, to beautify, to embellish; to grace, to honour ...1530 obs. or arch.
DECORATE ONE'S SHOES
vb. to vomit ...20C teen & high school sl.
DECORATE THE MAHOGANY
vb. to put money on the table; hence, to pay out money or to gamble ...1912 Amer. dial.
DECORATE THE POT
vb. in playing cards: to put money in the pot ...1967 Amer. jocular
DECORATION DAY PLANT
n. a peony ...1965 Amer. dial.
DECORATIONIST
n. a professional decorator ...1828
DECORATORY
* adj. pert. to decoration; decorative ...1889
DECORE
† adj. comely, beautiful ...1500-20 Sc.
† n. grace, honour, glory, beauty, adornment ...1513
† vb. to decorate, to adorn, to embellish ...1490 obs. or arch.
DECOREMENT
† n. decoration, ornamentation; an ornament, an embellishment ...1587
DECORIST n. an aesthete; one attached to artistic properties ...1839 nonce word
DECOROUS
† adj. seemly, suitable, appropriate ...1664
DECOROUSNESS
† n. seemliness, fitness, suitability, appropriateness ...1678
DECORPORATE
† vb. to kill or make bodiless ...1660
DECORPORATION
† n. a making bodiless ...1660
DECORRE
† vb. to run or flow away; to pass or haste away; to end, to cease to exist ...1377
DECORTICATE
vb. to divest of what conceals, to expose, to disclose, to reveal ...1660
DECORUM
† n. 1. a fitting or appropriate act ...1601
† n. 2. orderly condition; orderliness ...1610
† n. 3. beauty arising from fitness, or from absence of the incongruous; comeliness; grace; gracefulness ...1613
DECOUNT
† vb. to set down in a reckoning or account; to reckon ...1762
DECOUPLE
†* vb. to uncouple ...1602
DECOURSE
† n. downward course; descent ...1585
DECOURT
† vb. to expel or banish from court ...c1610
DECOVERED
† adj. uncovered ...1658
DECOY
† n. 1. a swindler, a sharper; an impostor or 'shark' who lives by his wits at the expense of his dupes ...1618
n. 2. one who entices, allures, or inveigles another into some trap, deception or evil situation ...1638
DECOY-DUCK
n. a person who entices another into danger or mischief ...1625
DECRASSIFY
* vb. to divest of what is crass, gross, or material; to purify, to refine ...1855
DECREASE
† n. the wane of the moon ...1626
DECREATION
† n. the undoing of creation; depriving of existence; annihilation, utter destruction ...1647
DECREATOR
† n. one who uncreates, destroys, or annihilates ...1678
DECREE
† vb. to determine, to resolve, to decide to do something ...1526 obs. or arch.
DECREET
†* n. a decision, determination ...c1400
† vb. 1. to pronounce a decision or judgement ...1563
† vb. 2. to decide, to determine, to resolve to do something ...1582-8
DECREMENT
n. 1. the wane of the moon ...1610
n. 2. the fact of decreasing or growing gradually less; decrease, diminution, lessening, waste, loss ...1621
† n. 3. bodily decay; wasting away ...1646
DECREPIDITY
†* n. decrepitude, a state of feebleness and decay, esp. that due to old age; senility ...1760
DECREPIT
adj. wasted or worn out with old age, decayed and enfeebled with infirmities; old and feeble; senile ...c1450
n. an infirm old person ...1578
DECREPITAGE
† n. decrepitude; a state of feebleness and decay, esp. that due to old age; senility ...1670
DECREPITANCY
† n. decrepitude; a state of feebleness and decay, esp. that due to old age; senility ...1670
DECREPITNESS
† n. decrepitude; a state of feebleness and decay, esp. that due to old age; senility ...1601
DECREPITUDE
n. the state or condition of being decrepit; a state of feebleness and decay, esp. that due to old age; senility ...1603
DECREPITY
† n. decrepitude; a state of feebleness and decay, esp. that due to old age; senility ...1576
DECRESCENCE
* n. a waning state or condition ..1872
DECRESCENT
adj. 1. of the moon: waning ...1610
adj. 2. decreasing, growing gradually less ...1811
n. the waning moon ...1616
DECRETAL
†* adj. decisive, definitive ...1608
DECRETALIARCH
† n. the lord of decretals, the Pope ...1656
DECRETION
† n. decrease, diminution ...1635
DECRETORIAN
† adj. decisive, conclusive ...1679
DECRETORILY
† adv. positively, decisively ...1660
DECRETORY
† adj. such as to decide the question; decisive, determinative ...1674
DECREW
†* vb. to decrease, to wane ...1596
DECRIAL
* n. open disparagement; depreciation ...1711
DECRIED
adj. cried down, disparaged openly ...1655
DECRIMENT
n. decoration, ornament ...B1900 Eng. dial.
DECRIMINATE
†* vb. to denounce as a criminal, to accuse ...1670
DECRIPPIT
n. a cripple, a lame person; one who is decrepit ...1887 Eng. dial.
DECROTT
† vb. to clean from dirt, to remove dirt from ...1653 nonce word
DECRY
vb. 1. to denounce, to condemn, to suppress, or to depreciate by proclamation; to reduce the value of money ...1617
vb. 2. to cry out against; to disparage or condemn openly; to attack the credit or reputation of; to depreciate ...1641
DECUBATION
†* n. the act of lying down ...1664
DECULCATE
† vb. to tread or trample upon ...1623
DECULT
† vb. to hide privily ...1623
DECUMAN
adj. very large, immense; usually of waves ...1659
DECUMANAL
†* adj. very large, immense: usually of waves ...1652
DECUMBENCE
n. a lying down, reclining ...1646
DECUMBENCY
n. 1. lying down, reclining ...1646
n. 2. a taking to one's bed ...1651
DECUMBENT
† adj. 1. lying down, reclining ...1656 rare or obs.
† adj. 2. lying in bed through illness; bedridden ...1689
† n. one lying ill in bed ...1641 obs.
DECUMBITURE
† n. 1. a taking to one's bed through illness ...1647
† n. 2. lying down, reclining ...1670
DECUNT
vb. to withdraw the penis from the vagina ...L19 Brit. sl.
DECUPLATE
† adj. multiplied by ten ...1690
vb. to increase or multiply by ten ...1690
DECUPLATION
† n. multiplication by ten, increase tenfold ...1690
DECUPLE
adj. ten times as much; tenfold ...1613
n. a number or quantity ten times another; a tenfold amount ...c1425
vb. to increase or multiply by ten ...1674
DECURION
n. a cavalry officer in command of a 'decuria' or company of ten horse; also, a commander or captain of ten men ...1382
DECURRENCE
† n. the act or state of running down; downward flow or course; lapse of time ...1659
DECURRENCY
† n. the act or state of running down; downward flow or course; lapse of time ...1651
DECURRENT
† adj. running or flowing down ...1432-50
DECURSE
† n. downward course, lapse of time ...1593
DECURSION
† n. 1. the act of running, flowing, or passing downwards ...c1630
† n. 2. a course or passage of time ...1664
DECURT
† adj. short ...1623
† vb. to cut down, to shorten, to dock, to curtail, to abridge; to summarize ...1550
DECURTATE
* adj. cut down, shortened, abridged, curtailed ...a1638
† vb. 1. to shave, to trim the hair ...1599
† vb. 2. to cut down, to shorten, to dock, to curtail, to abridge...1623
DECURTATION
† n. shortening; abridging, cutting down ...1652
DECURVATION
n. the condition of being bent downwards ...1881
DECURVATURE
n. the condition of being bent downwards ...1887
DECURVE
* vb. to curve or bend down ...1835
DECUS
n. a crown-piece, five shillings ...1688 sl.
DECUSS
* vb. to cross, to intersect, to lie across, so as to form a figure like the letter X ...1782
DECUSSANT
†* adj. intersecting ...1685
DECUSSATE
adj. having the form of an X ...1825
vb. to cross, to intersect, to lie across, so as to form a figure like the letter X ...1658
DECUSSATION
n. the crossing of lines, rays, etc. so as to form a figure like the letter X; intersection ...1656
DECUSSATIVE
adj. 1658 obs. rare - crossed over each other, intersecting, cross-shaped
DECUSSION
n. 1664 obs. rare - a shaking down or off; a dislodging or removing by shaking
DECUTE
vb. 1623 obs. - to cut off
DECUTIENT
adj. 1656 - that shakes or beats down