DICTIONARY
D - PAGE 2

• DARL n. 1. a term of address or endearment; darling ...1930 & Aust. & UK sl.
n. 2. (usually written darl') something excellent ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 3. a lesbian ...2000s NZ sl.
• DARLASTON THROSTLE n. a donkey ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DARLING adj. 1. charming, sweet, nice ...1805 UK sl.
adj. 2. delightful, pleasing ...1805
adj. 3. excellent; first-rate ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 1. an unhealthy child ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. 2. the smallest pig of a litter ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. 3. in post World War I society, a term of address for even a comparative stranger ...E20 sl.
n. 4. something excellent ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 5. a term of address between male homosexuals ...1949 US sl.
• DARLING BUDS adj. homosexual ...1992 UK rhyming sl. for 'gay' (Darling Buds of May)
• DARLING BUDS OF MAY adj. homosexual ...1992 UK rhyming sl. for 'gay'
• DARLING DAUGHTER n. water ...1992 UK rhyming sl.
• DARLINGEST adj. excellent; first-rate ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DARLING FAUCET n. the penis ...Urquhart usage
• DARLING IT HURTS n. Darlinghurst, a rough inner-city area of Sydney ...20C Aust. sl.
• DARLING PEA n. madness; eccentricity ...L19 Aust. sl.
• DARLINGS, THE n. the prostitutes of Darlinghurst and King's Cross, Sydney ... c1930  Aust. sl.
• DARLING SHOWER n. a dust-storm ...1898 Aust. colloq.
• DARLING WHALER n. an itinerant tramp whose 'beat' focuses on the rivers of New South Wales ...M19 Aust. sl.
• DARLING WIFE n. a knife ...World War I Brit. rhyming sl.
• DARLINK n. a loved one; a sweetheart ... Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DARLO n. 1. Darlinghurst. Sydney ...c1920 Aust. sl.
n. 2. Darlington, County Durham ...1984 UK sl.
• DARLO DROP n. police brutality towards a victim in custody ...1990 Aust. police & criminals' sl.
• DARLS n. a term of address or endearment; darling ...1930 UK sl.
• DARN THE STREETS vb. to take a zigzag course, as a drunken man does in trying to walk ...1790 Eng. dial.
• DARN adj. wretched, nasty; silly ...1780s
n. excrement ...1866 Sc.
vb. to damn ...M19 euphemism
int. damn!; an exclamation of disappointment, annoyance, irritation, frustration, etc. ...1781
• DARNATION adj. damned ...L18 US euphemism
int. damn! ...1798 Amer. euphemism
• DARNED adj. 1. wretched, nasty; silly ...1780s
adj. 2. an intensifier; damned ...1807 US euphemism
• DARNED TOOTING! int. used as a mock oath affirming that which has just been said ...1963 US sl.
• DARNER n. a dragonfly ...1933 Amer. dial.
• DARNFOOL adj. wretched, nasty; silly; stupid and irritating ...1780s
• DARNFUL adj. gloomy, mournful, dreary ...1916 Amer. dial.
• DARN GOOD adj. excellent; first-rate ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DARNING NEEDLE n. a dragonfly ...1889 Amer. dial.
• DARN IT! int. an exclamation of disappointment, annoyance, irritation, frustration, etc. ...1781
• DARN MY BUTTONS! int. a mild oath ...19C sl.
• DARN MY WHISKERS! int. damn! ...M19 US euphemism
• DARN NEEDLE n. a dragonfly ...1965 Amer. dial.
• DARN STRAIGHT! int. you are right! ...1994 US sl.
• DAROUS † adj. daring, bold ... Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DARR vb. to poke the fire too much, so that it goes out ...1908 Sc.
• DARRACK n. a day's work; the amount of work done in a day ...1737 Eng. dial.
• DARREL LEA n. tea ...1980s Aust. prison sl.
• DARREN GOUGH n. a cough ...1998 UK rhyming sl.
• DARRICKY adj. rotten, decayed ...1851 Eng. dial.
• DARROL n. the smallest of the brood of pigs, fowl, etc. ...Irish sl.
• DARRY n. a look ...1940s UK prison sl.
• DARRYL n. a general term of abuse ...1990s sl.
• DARSTS n. dregs, refuse ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DART adj. frightened, terrified ...Bk1900 Sc.
† n. 1. the penis ...16C sl.
n. 2. in boxing: a straight-armed blow ...c1770 sl.
n. 3. an illicit activity; a racket ...c1870 Aust. sl.
n. 4. a plan, an aim, a scheme, an idea ...1887 Aust. sl.
n. 5. a try, a 'go'; a last-minute effort ...L19 Aust. sl.
n. 6. one's fancy or favourite ...L19 Aust. sl.
n. 7. a good idea ...20C Aust. sl.
n. 8. a pain that strikes you suddenly in the neck ...1966 Amer. dial.
n. 9. a hypodermic syringe ...2000s US drugs sl.
vb. to raise the foot and set it down again hard, to stomp ...1908 Sc.
• DART ACCENT n. an affectedly quasi-British accent, adopted by the middle-class in and around Dublin ...1990s Irish sl.
• DARTER adj. active ...1851 Eng. dial.
† n. 1. a harpooner ...1724
n. 2. a quick, active person; a person or animal that darts or moves swiftly ...1808 Eng. dial.
n. 3. a daughter ...1808 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• DARTH VADER'S PENCIL BOX n. the Bank of New Zealand Head Office building in Wellington ...1984 NZ sl.
• DARTLE * vb. to dart or shoot forth repeatedly ...1855
• DARTMOOR CROP n. short-cut hair ...1915 Brit. military sl.
• DART OF LOVE † n. the penis ...16C sl.
• DARTY adj. sharp, quick, active ...1869 Eng. dial.
• DARU n. rum ...1965 Barbados sl.
• DARWIN BLONDE n. a mixed-race woman ...1940s Aust. sl.
• DARWIN RIG n. an adaptation of the typical business suit worn by men in far northern Australia; usually a short-sleeved shirt, and often short trousers; a tie is normally included, but a coat is definitely not ...1964 Aust. sl.
• DARWIN STUBBY n. an extra-large beer bottle, introduced in 1958 at 80 fl. oz.; increased in 1973 to 2.25 litres, and in 1982 to 2 litres ...1970s Aust. sl.
• DARZE THY BACK! int. an imprecation ...1890 Eng. dial.
• D.A.s n. the 'domestic afflictions'; the menses ...M19 Brit. colloq.
• DAS † n. a badger ...1481
• DASART †* n. a dazed, stupefied, or inert person; a dullard ...a1400
• DASCAN † vb. to ponder; to consider ...c1579 Sc.
• DASH n. 1. a tavern waiter ...c1660 sl.
n. 2. a gift, present, tip ...1788
n. 3. bribery; the money paid as a bribe...L18 sl.
n. 4. an attractive young woman ...1814 US sl.
n. 5. a display ...1816 Sc.
n. 6. a cant term for a hat, cap, etc. ...Bk1900 Sc.
n. 7. a flourish in writing ...Bk1900 Sc.
n. 8. a shake ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. 9. a slap ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. 10. the dashboard of a motor-car ...c1910 sl.
n. 11. an attempt ...1931 colloq.
n. 12. an escape from custody ...1952 US sl.
n. 13. a latent homosexual ...1970s US gay sl.
n. 14. bravery ...1980s Aust. prison sl.
vb. 1. to abash, to dismay, to confuse; to put out of countenance ...c1631 Sc. & Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to erase, to strike out ...1721 Sc.
vb. 3. to make a show, to display, to show off ...1813 Sc.
vb. 4. to adulterate ...c1860 brewers' & publicans' usage
vb. 5. to give a present to; to tip ...1861
vb. 6. to mingle, infuse flavour; to insert a small quantity of one thing, usually of an inferior quality, into another; generally used of liquids ...1889 Eng. dial.
vb. 7. to flourish in writing, to make ornamental figures with a pen ...Bk1900 Sc.
vb. 8. to shake ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
vb. 9. to depart in a hurry ...1932 UK sl.
vb. 10. to become enraged with ...1990s UK Black sl.
int. damn! ...c1810 euphemism, chiefly Brit.
• DASH-AN-DARRAS n. the stirrup-glass, parting cup ...1810 Eng. dial.
• DASH AWAY vb. to throw something away ...1909 Amer. dial.
• DASH-BOARD n. 1. the splash-board of a carriage ...1876 Eng. dial.
n. 2. (usually as 'dashboard') along loggers: a farmer working as a logger ...1958 Amer. dial.
• DASHBOARDS n. one's feet ...1915 Amer. sl.
• DASH BON! int. an imprecation ...1897 Eng. dial.
• DASH-BUCKLER † n. a swaggering fellow; a swashbuckler ...1567
• DASHED adj. 1. flavoured ...1800 Eng. dial.
adj. 2. abashed, cast down, ashamed, bashful ...1803 Sc. & Eng. dial.
adj. 3. sullied or depreciated, as a faded garment ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
adj. 4. damned ...1881 euphemism
• DASHEE n. a gift, a present, a gratuity ...1705
• DASHER n. 1. a flashy prostitute; a showy harlot ...M18 sl.
n. 2. a fashionable, attractive person who often attends parties, dances, etc.; a dashing young man ...1790 sl.
n. 3. a 'fast' young woman ...19C sl.
n. 4. a brilliant or dashing attempt or motion ...1884 colloq.
n. 5. a dandy ...L19 W. Indies sl.
n. 6. a womanizer ...L19 W. Indies. sl.
n. 7. someone of extraordinary appearance, as a remarkably stout person ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. 8. a large-toothed comb for the hair ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. 9. a masturbator ...20C sl.
n. 10. a very hard blow ...1968 Amer. dial.
• DASHES n. a smacking ...20C Brit. sl.
• DASHFUL adj. bashful ...1874 Eng. dial.
• DASHIE adj. making a great show; showy, gay, proud ...Bk1900 Sc.
• DASHIKI adj. loose ...1950s US Black sl.
• DASHING adj. showy, given to excess, esp. in dress ...19C sl.
n. 1. a daring or brilliant action; a showy liveliness in manner, dress, behaviour ...c1800 colloq.
n. 2. disappointment ...1813 Eng. dial.
• DASH IN THE BLOOMERS n. sexual intercourse, usually quick and adulterous ...1960s sl.
• DASHISM † n. the character of having dash, or being a 'dasher' ...1788 nonce word
• DASH IT! int. damn ...1800 euphemism
• DASH IT ALL! int. damn! ...1800 euphemism, chiefly Brit.
• DASHLIN n. second-best clothes ...Irish sl.
• DASH MY BUTTONS! int. exclamation indicating surprise and vexation ...1839 colloq.
• DASH MY JASEY! int. a mild oath ...L18
• DASH MY PERIWIG! int. an imprecation ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DASH MY RAGS! int. a mild oath ...19C sl.
• DASH MY SKIN! int. a mild oath ...19C
• DASH MY TIMBERS! int. a mild oath ...19C
• DASH MY WIG(S)! int. a mild oath ...L18 sl.
• DASH OFF vb. to depart with a dash ...L18 colloq.
• DASH OF THE TAR-BRUSH, A phr. i.e. of Black or Indian blood showing itself in the complexion; having mixed racial heritage ...1859
• DASH O' WET, A n. a sudden fall of rain ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DASH UP THE CHANNEL n. sexual intercourse, from the male perspective ...1961 UK sl.
• DASHY adj. 1. showy, ostentatiously fashionable; stylish ...1822 colloq.
adj. 2. characterized by hastiness of execution ...1844
adj. 3. rough and indistinct ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. a daring or brilliant action; a showy liveliness in manner, dress, behaviour ...c1820 colloq.
• DASHY-LOOKING adj. well-dressed, smart ...1886 Sc.
• DASHY-TRASHY adj. insignificant; trivial; worthless ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DASIBERD † n. a stupid fellow, a fool, a dullard, a simpleton ... c1400
• DAST! int. damn! ...L19 US euphemism
• DASTARD adj. characterized by mean shrinking from danger; showing base cowardice; cowardly ...c1489
† n. 1. one inert or dull of wit; a dullard; a dolt; a sot ...c1440
n. 2. one who meanly or basely shrinks from danger; a mean, base, or despicable coward; one who does malicious acts in a cowardly, skulking way, so as not to expose himself to risk ...1526
† vb. to make a dastard of; to cow, to terrify ...1593
• DASTARDLINESS † n. 1. inertness or dullness of wit; stupidity ...1553
n. 2. mean or base cowardliness ...1561
• DASTARDLING n. a contemptible dastard ...1800 nonce word
• DASTARDLY † adj. 1. inert of mind or action; stupid, dull ...1567
adj. 2. showing mean or despicable cowardice ...1576
† adv. in a cowardly manner ...1552
• DASTARDNESS † n. 1. base cowardice, dastardliness ...1519
† n. 2. inertness of understanding; stupidity; dullness ...1552
• DASTARDY n. the quality of a dastard; base or mean cowardice ...1588 arch.
• DASTED adj. damned ...L19 US euphemism
• DAST IT! int. an exclamation ...Bk1900 Eng. dial. 
• DASWEN † vb. of the eyes: to be or become dim ...1382
• DASY n. a diamond ...M18 UK criminals sl.
• DASYPYGAL adj. having hairy buttocks, as an ape ...1875
• DAT n. 1. a tank-crew member (DumbAss Tanker) ...1970s US Army sl.
n. 2. pork ...2000 Jamaica sl.
• DATAL * adj. of or pert. to date; chronological ...1882
• DATALLER n. a day-labourer; a workman engaged and paid by the day ...1881 Eng. dial.
• DATARY †* n. an expert in dates; a chronologer ...1655
• DATCH vb. to jog, to shake ...Bk1900 Sc.
• DATCHEL n. a person wearing ill-fitting clothes and with a foolish gait ...1824 Sc.
vb. to waddle ...1825 Sc.
• DATCHIE adj. 1. sly, cunning ...19C Sc.
adj. 2. hidden, secret ...19C Sc.   
adj. 3. penetrating: applied to intellectual powers ...19C Sc.
• DATCHLE vb. to waddle; to walk in a careless manner, with clothes ill adapted to the shape of the wearer ...Bk1900 Sc.
• DATE n. 1. a person with whom one makes or has made an appointment or engagement, usually for social/sexual purposes ...L19 colloq., orig. US
n. 2. a term of abuse ...1910s Aust. sl.
n. 3. a foolish, silly, stupid, or weak person ...1914 UK sl.
n. 4. the buttocks; the anus ...1919 Aust. sl.
n. 5. a prostitute's customer ...1930s sl.
n. 6. a loved one; a sweetheart ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 7. in marbles: a type of marble; a marble put up as a stake ...1942 Amer. dial.
n. 8. a sexual liaison between a prostitute and a customer ...1957 US euphemism
n. 9. a prisoner's expected date of release from prison ...1989 US sl.
vb. 1. to have an affair with someone; to be going out together on a number of pre-arranged days ...20C sl., orig. US
vb. 2. to caress the buttocks; to goose, i.e. to stick a thumb or finger into someone's anus ...1910s Aust. & NZ sl.
vb. 3. of a prostitute: to have sex with a customer for pay ...1951 US sl.
vb. 4. to have sexual intercourse ...1990s sl.
• DATE AND PLUM n. the bum; the anus ...1998 UK rhyming sl.
• DATE BAIT n. 1. an attractive person of either sex who is sought after as a date ...1944 US sl.
n. 2. a boyfriend or girlfriend ...1940s US Black sl.
n. 3. something that will entice a member of the opposite sex to accept the offer of a date ...1986 US students' sl.
• DATE DRILLER n. 1. a male homosexual ...1980s Aust. sl.
n. 2. the active participant in anal sex ...1998 NZ sl.
• DATELESS adj. 1. stupefied, foolish, disordered in mind, having the faculties failing through age ...1685 Eng. dial.
adj. 2. insensible, as from a blow ...1854 Eng. dial.
• DATE-LOCKER n. the anus ...Aust. sl.
• DATELY adj. daily ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DATE MATE n. 1. a male homosexual partner ...20C Aust. sl.
n. 2. a partner of the same sex to accompany one on a double date ...1950s Amer. sl.
• DATE PACKER n. a male homosexual ...1985 Aust. sl.
• DATE PUNCHER n. a male homosexual ...1980s Aust. sl.
• DATER n. a daughter ...1843 Amer. dial.
• DATE RAPE n. the rape by a man of his partner on a date ...1983 sl., orig. US
• DATE ROLL n. a toilet roll, toilet paper ...20C Aust. sl.
• DATE UP vb. 1. to have an affair with someone; to be going out together on a number of pre-arranged days ...20C sl., orig. US
vb. 2. to fill the time of a person with appointments ...c1930 sl., orig. US
vb. 3. in marbles: to marbles in the ring as a stake ...1942 Amer. dial.
• DATE WITH DIPALMA n. of a male: an act of masturbation (DiPalma = the hand) ...2001 US sl.
• DATHER vb. 1. to shiver, to tremble, to shake either with cold or old age ...1684 Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to bewilder, to maze ...1879 Eng. dial.
vb. 3. to wither ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DATIVE †* adj. 1. disposed to give; having the right to give ...1400s
† adj. 2. of the nature of a gift; conferred or bestowed as a gift ...1570-6
• DATTER n. a daughter ...Bk1900 Eng. & Amer. dial.
vb. to confuse, to embarrass ...1952 Amer. dial.
• DATTY adj. mad ...2000s UK teen sl.
• DATY adj. soft-headed; sun-struck ...20C military sl.
• DAUB n. 1. a bribe ...18C sl.
n. 2. an artist ...M19 colloq.
n. 3. a ribbon ...M19 US criminals' sl.
n. 4. insincere compliments; flattery; hypocritical affection ...1877 Eng. dial.
n. 5. in the circus: an advertising poster ...1923 US sl.
n. 6. something excellent ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 7. a spot of grease used to mark a card ...1960s sl.
† vb. 1. to put on a false show; to dissemble so as to give a favourable impression to pay court with flattery ...1605 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
vb. 2. in painting: to lay on colours in a crude or clumsy fashion; to paint coarsely and inartistically ...1630
vb. 3. to bribe ...c1690 sl.
vb. 4. to cheat, to deceive, to trick ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAUBED adj. fantastically attired, over-dressed ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAUBER † n. 1. one who puts a false show on things; a hypocritical flatterer ...1642
n. 2. a coarse or unskilful painter ...1655
n. 3. a car painter who will repaint a stolen car ...20C sl.
n. 4. spirit; enthusiasm ...1915 US sl.
• DAUBERY n. flattery, cajolery ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAUBING † adj. 1. that bedaubs with flattery ...1655
adj. 2. wet, dirty ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. 1. painting coarsely or inartistically; hence, a coarsely or badly executed painting ...1654
n. 2. the putting a false show on anything; hypocritical flattery ...1655
• DAUBLE vb. to wrangle, to quarrel ...1869 Sc.
• DAUBMENT n. flattery, cajolery ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAUB OF THE BRUSH n. 1. coition ...M20 US sl.
n. 2. pederasty ...M20 US sl.
• DAUB OF THE HAND, A n. a greasing of the palm, a bribe ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAUBSTER n. a clumsy painter ...1853
• DAUB THE BRUSH vb. to copulate ...E20 Amer. sl.
• DAUBY adj. 1. fantastically attired, over-dressed ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
adj. 2. hypocritically affectionate ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
adj. 3. sticky, clammy, dirty, untidy ...Bk1900 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• DAUBY-SAUBY n. flattery, cajolery ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAUDNEL adj. shabby in appearance ...Bk1900 Sc.
• DAUGHTER † n. 1. a term of affectionate address to a woman or girl by an older person or one in a superior relation ...c1000 obs. or arch.
† n. 2. a girl, maiden, young woman (no express reference to relationship) ...1382 obs. or arch.
n. 3. a homosexual male introduced into homosexual society by another homosexual male who is called a 'mother' ...1949 US homosexual usage
n. 4. a form of address between homosexual men ...1992 UK sl.
n. 5. any young woman, irrespective of relationship ...1990s UK Black & W. Indies sl.
• DAUGHTER-A-LAW n. a daughter-in-law ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAUGHTERFUL adj. full of daughters ...1830 nonce word
• DAUGHTER-IN-LAW n. a stepdaughter (now considered incorrect) ...1841
• DAUGHTERKIN n. a little daughter ...1858 nonce word
• DAUGHTER-LAW n. a daughter-in-law ...1877 Eng. dial.
• DAUGHTERLING n. a little daughter ...1853 nonce word
• DAUGHTER OF JOY n. a prostitute ...20C US euphemism
• DAUGHTER-O'-LAW n. a daughter-in-law ...1860 Eng. dial.
• DAUK vb. to drizzle ...1892 Sc.
• DAULER n. a supine, delicate person ...Bk1900 Sc.
• DAULING adj. dull, inactive ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAULT † n. a foster-child ...1775 Sc.
• DAUM n. a small portion or share ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
vb. to deal out or allot sparingly or grudgingly ...1870 Eng. dial.
• DAUMER n. a stunning blow ...Bk1900 Sc.
vb. to stun, to stupefy; to damage, to knock about ...1871 Sc.
• DAUMERT adj. sleepy, silly, bewildered ...1876 Sc.
• DAUNCEY adj. 1. weak, sickly ...1925 Ireland
adj. 2. dishonest ...20C Ireland
adj. 3. pregnant ...1952 US sl.
• DAUNCH † adj. fastidious, dainty, overnice, squeamish, over-particular; sensitive, jealous of one's own dignity ...c1460 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• DAUNDER n. a stroll, a slow walk, a saunter ...1821 Sc. & Eng. dial.
vb. to stroll, to saunter, to wander; to trifle, to misspend one's time; to hobble ...1727 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DAUNSEL † vb. to caress, to make much of, to coax ...1362
• DAUNSY adj. downcast, sad ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DAUNT † n. 1. the act of daunting; dispiriting; intimidation; discouragement; a check ...a1400 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial.
† n. 2. dandling, caress ...a1548
† vb. 1. to overcome, to subdue, to vanquish ...c1300
† vb. 2. to bring into subjection, to subdue, to tame; to hold in subjection; to control ...1303
† vb. 3. to dandle, to fondle, to caress ...1303
† vb. 4. to tame, to break in an animal ...1377 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† vb. 5. to cast down, to put down, to quell ...a1400
†* vb. 6. to toy ...a1529
† vb. 7. to daze, to stupefy; to stun ...1581 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
vb. 8. to dare, to challenge; to provoke to some hazardous deed ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAUNTED † adj. tamed, subdued, brought under control ...c1375
• DAUNTER † n. 1. a subduer; a vanquisher ...1513
† n. 2. a tamer of horses; a horse-breaker ...1513
• DAUNTLE vb. to dandle, to fondle, to caress ...1790 Eng. dial.
• DAUNTON vb. 1. to subdue, to overcome, to vanquish; to tame; to intimidate ...1535 Sc.
vb. 2. to terrify; to depress, to awe, to dismay ...1794 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DAUNTONED adj. tamed, broken in ...1597 Sc.
• DAUNY adj. wretched; miserable; pale; sickly-looking ...Irish usage
• DAUP IT! int. damn it! ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAUPET adj. silly, stupid, foolish, imbecile ...1788 Sc.
• DAURE vb. to dazzle, to stun ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAUSEY adj. stupid, silly, bewildered; dull, inactive, doltish ...1889 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DAUSEY-HEADED adj. giddy, thoughtless; bewildered, confused ...1790 Eng. dial.  
• DAUT n. 1. a caress ...1737 Sc. & Eng. dial.
n. 2. a dot, a speck, a spot ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
vb. to pet, to fondle, to caress, to make much of ...1500-20 Sc.
• DAUTIE n. a person caressed or indulged; a darling, a pet, a favourite; a term of affection ...1676 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DAVE adj. friendly, agreeable, admirable, excellent ...1990s sl.
vb. 1. to assuage, to mitigate, to relieve; to soothe ...1781 Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to thaw ...1858 Eng. dial.
• DAVE CLARK adj. dark ...2004 UK rhyming sl.
• DAVE DEE, DOZY, BEAKY, MICK AND TICH adj. rich ...2004 UK rhyming sl.
• DAVENANT n. a couch, usually small ...1965 Amer. dial.
• DAVENET n. a couch, usually small ...1966 Amer. dial.
• DAVENETTE n. a couch, usually small ...1951 Amer. dial.
• DAVENO n. an upholstered couch or sofa, sometimes convertible to a bed ...c1955 Amer. dial.
• DAVENPORT n. an upholstered couch or sofa, sometimes convertible to a bed ...1902 Amer. dial.
• DAVER n. a stunning blow ...1816 Eng. dial.
vb. 1. to move or walk as if dazed or stupefied; to stagger ...c1600 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to stupefy, to stun, to benumb ...c1600 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
vb. 3. to fade; to wither; to droop; to soil ...1621 Eng. dial.
vb. 4. to be stiffened with cold; to be benumbed ...1742 Sc.
vb. 5. to wander aimlessly; to go out of one's way from stupor; to wander in mind, to become stupid; to tarry ...1813 Sc.
vb. 6. to tremble; to waver ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAVERED adj. 1. languid, torpid ...1790 Eng. dial. (Grose)
adj. 2. wandering in mind, silly, senseless ...1795 Sc. & Eng. dial.
adj. 3. withered, faded, drooping ...1866 Eng. dial.
• DAVESHER n. a blow that has stunned or felled ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAVEY'S LOCKER n. a watery grave; thus death in general ...M18 nautical usage
• DAVID n. 1. an oath, an affidavit ...19C Brit. sl.
n. 2. a power or spirit controlling rain and storms ...1918 US nautical & military sl.
n. 3. semen ...Brit. sl.
• DAVID BOWIE adj. windy ...1992 UK rhyming sl. for 'blowy'
• DAVID GOWER n. a shower (rain) ...1990s rhyming sl.
• DAVID JONES n. 1. the spirit of the sea ...c1750 nautical usage
n. 2. bones ...1980s Aust. rhyming sl.
• DAVID JONESES n. a watery grave; thus death in general ...M18 nautical usage
• DAVID, SEND IT DOWN phr. a soldier's greeting to a shower of rain likely to postpone a parade ...1981 US military sl.
• DAVIE DO A' THINGS n. a Jack of all trades ...Bk1905 Sc.
• DAVIELY adv. listlessly, spiritlessly ...1788 Sc.
• DAVINA MCCALLS n. nonsense ...2004 UK rhyming sl. for 'balls'
• DAVINETTE n. a couch, usually small ...c1960 Amer. dial.
• DAVVY n. a sofa or couch ...1997 US sl.
• DAVY n. 1. a sworn oath; an affidavit ...1764 sl.
n. 2. the spirit of the sea; the sailors' devil; the demon of the sea; hence the bottom of the sea; a watery grave; death in general ...1790 nautical sl.
n. 3. a power or spirit controlling rain and storms ...1800 US nautical & military sl.
• DAVY CROCKETT n. 1. a draft board official during World War II ...1940s US Black sl.
n. 2. a pocket ...1956 theatrical rhyming sl.
• DAVY DEBET n. a bailiff ...c1570
• DAVY DEBT n. a bailiff ...c1570
• DAVY JONES n. the spirit of the sea; the sailors' devil; the demon of the sea; hence the bottom of the sea; a watery grave; death in general ...1751 nautical sl.
• DAVY JONES' BEARD n. seaweed ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DAVY JONE'S LOCKER n. a door knocker ...1992 UK rhyming sl.
• DAVY JONES'S CHEST-LID n. a watery grave; thus death in general ...18C nautical usage
• DAVY JONES'S DOCK-YARD n. a watery grave; thus death in general ...18C nautical usage
• DAVY JONES'S LOCKER n. the bottom of the sea, esp. as regarded as the grave of those who perish at sea ...1774 nautical usage
• DAVY JONES'S NATURAL CHILDREN n. pirates; smugglers ...19C nautical usage
• DAVY JONES'S SHOCKER n. a depth charge ...19C sl.
• DAVY LARGE n. a barge ...L19 rhyming sl.
• DAVY-MAN n. the member of a crew of a ship captured by a privateer who was left on board in order to swear an 'affidavit' as to her nationality ...19C naval colloq.
• DAVY PUTTING ON THE COPPERS FOR THE PARSON(S) phr. a comment on an approaching storm; the brewing of a storm ...c1830 nautical usage
• DAVY'S DUST n. gunpowder ...c1830 UK criminals' sl.
• DAVY, SEND IT DOWN phr. a soldier's greeting to a shower of rain likely to postpone a parade ...1981 US military sl.
• DAVY'S LOCKER n. 1. the bottom of the sea, esp. as regarded as the grave of those who perish at sea ...1802 nautical usage
n. 2. a door knocker ...1992 UK rhyming sl.
• DAW n. 1. a lazy, good-for-nothing person; a sluggard ...c1460
n. 2. an untidy woman or housewife, a slut, a slattern ...1500-20 Sc.
n. 3. a silly, chattering person, a simpleton, a fool ...c1500 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
n. 4. dawn ...1856 Sc.
n. 5. an atom. a jot, a particle ...Bk1900 Sc.
n. 6. a big marble that's used to knock others out of the ring ...1968 Amer. dial.
n. 7. an obdurate, unreasoning person ...1997 Ireland sl.
† vb. 1. to dawn ...c900 obs. exc. Sc.
† vb. 2. to recover from a swoon; to awake from sleep, to arouse ...c1314 obs. exc. Sc.
†* vb. 3. to daunt, to subdue, to frighten ...1616
• DAWAMESK n. marijuana; orig. a mixture of hashish and a variety of spices and other ingredients ...1960s drugs sl.
• DAWB n. a bribe ...18C sl.
vb. to bribe ...c1690 sl
• DAWCAKE n. a stupid, silly, awkward person ...1892 Eng. dial.
• DAWCH n. a very heavy dew or drizzling rain ...Bk1900 Sc.
vb. to moisten as with dew; to damp ...Bk1900 Sc.
• DAWCOCK † n. a stupid, silly, awkward fellow, a simpleton, a fool ...1556 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• DAW-DAW adj. slow-witted ...c1950 colloq.
• DAWDERLY adv. slovenly, loosely, out of shape ...1873 Eng. dial.
• DAWDGE n. a slut, a tatterdemalion ...1825 Sc.
• DAWDLE n. a lazy, indolent person; a frivolous, useless person ...1854 Sc. & Eng. dial.
vb. to spoil, to mess, to bedabble ...Bk1900 Sc.
• DAWDLEKUM n. a loiterer or slow-coach ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAWDLING n. a lazy, indolent person ...Bk1900 Eng. dial,
• DAWDRY adj. slovenly, untidy ...1835 Sc.
• DAWF n. a dwarf ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAWFUL adj. doleful, woebegone ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAWG n. 1. a dog ...1898 sl.
n. 2. a close male friend ...20C Amer. sl.
n. 3. a fellow youth gang member ...2003 US sl.
int. an expression of approval or surprise and disbelief ...1980s US campus & teen sl.
• DAWGOS † n. a dirty, slatternly woman ...1790 Eng. dial.
• DAWING † n. 1. dawn, daybreak; morning twilight ...c900 obs. exc. Sc.
† n. 2. recovery from swoon ...1530 obs. exc. Sc.
• DAWISH † adj. silly; sluttish ...1540 obs.
• DAWK n. 1. a hollow in a surface; a depression, furrow, incision ...1703 Eng. dial.
n. 2. a drizzling rain ...Bk1900 Sc.
n. 3. a helpless, idle woman ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. 4. a prickle or spine of a thorn ...20C Ireland
vb. 1. to make a hollow or incision in ...1703 Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to drizzle ...1892 Sc.
vb. 3. to daub, to bemire ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
vb. 4. to dig up weeds ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
vb. 5. to idle ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAWKAWK n. a stupid, silly, awkward person ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAWK-BUNGALOW n. a resting-place or house for travellers ...Bk1892 Anglo-Indian sl.
• DAWKEN vb. to dawn ...1905 Sc.
• DAWKIN adj. dull, listless ...1854 Eng. dial.
n. 1. a dull, stupid person, a simpleton, a fool ...1565 Eng. dial.
n. 2. a slatternly woman; one who is dirty and tawdry in her dress; a sloven, a slut ...1674 Eng. dial.
n. 3. a coward ...19C Eng. dial.
n. 4. a sluggard ...19C Eng. dial.
• DAWKINLY adv. stupidly, foolishly ...1750 Eng. dial.
• DAWK OUT vb. to over-dress; to dress smartly but untidily and slovenly ...1890 Eng. dial.
• DAWKS n. a slattern ...1790 Eng. dial.
vb. to over-dress; to dress up ...1866 Eng. dial.
• DAWKY adj. 1. moist, drizzly ...1820 Sc.
adj. 2. helpless, idle ...1892 Eng. dial.
adj. 3. dauby ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
adj. 4. over-dressed ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. a helpless, silly woman ...1874 Eng. dial.
• DAWL n. a blow, gen. on the head ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
vb. 1. to tire, to weary, to fatigue ...1796 Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to loathe, to disrelish ...1796 Eng. dial.
vb. 3. to coax, to fondle, to stroke gently with the hand ...1879 Eng. dial.
vb. 4. to dash, to beat, to strike ...1886 Eng. dial.
• DAWLED adj. 1. low-spirited, down-hearted ...1790 Eng. dial.
adj. 2. tired, worn out ...1790 Eng. dial.
• DAWLIE adj. slow; slovenly ...1832 Sc.
• DAWLIN n. the smallest pig of a litter ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAWLSOME adj. dull, dreary, miserable; nauseating ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAWN n. the first feathering of young birds; the hair as it first shows itself on the human face; the soft feathery hairs of some seeds; anything fluffy ...1890 Eng. dial.
† vb. to arouse or awake from a swoon, to resuscitate ...1530
• DAWN-DARKLE n. the darkness just before sunrise ...1931 Amer. dial.
• DAWNER n. 1. a stroll, a slow walk ...1821 Sc.
n. 2. a meeting that lasts all night ...1980s US sl.
n. 3. an engagement between a prostitute and customer that lasts all night, until dawn ...1987 US sl.
• DAWNEY adj. wretched; miserable; pale; sickly-looking ...Irish usage
• DAWN FRAZER n. a razor ...1960s Aust. rhyming sl.
• DAWN HOPPER n. an enemy raider plane using the uncertain light at dawn to slip away and get home ...1940-5 Royal Air Force usage
• DAWNIN n. the dawn ...1859 Eng. dial.
• DAWNING n. the beginning of daylight; dawn, daybreak ...1297, now poetic or rhetorical
• DAWNING, THE n. the east, the orient ...1879
• DAWN PATROL n. 1. golfers or surfers who head out early to beat others to the course or waves ...20C Amer. sl.
n. 2. the act of getting up very early in the morning, to get a head start on the day ...20C Amer. sl.
n. 3. any activity that requires staying up all night or getting up very early ...1945 US sl., orig. military usage
• DAWNTLE vb. to dandle, to fondle, to caress ...1790 Eng. dial.
• DAWNY adj. 1. small, tiny ...1862 Ireland
adj. 2. foggy ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
adj. 3. wretched; miserable; pale; sickly; weakly; delicate, in poor health  ...Bk1900 Irish usage
• DAWP vb. to soil by touch ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAWPATE † n. a silly fellow, a simpleton, a fool ...a1529
• DAWPIT adj. silly, stupid, foolish, imbecile ...1788 Sc.
• DAWPS n. a slattern; a dirty, untidy woman ...BK1900 Eng. dial.
• DAWSEL vb. to stun, to stupefy, to confuse, to daze ...1895 Eng. dial.
• DAWSEY adj. sticky, adhesive, smeary ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAWSIE adj. stupid, silly, bewildered; dull, inactive, doltish ...1889 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DAWSY adj. stupid, silly, bewildered; dull, inactive, doltish ...1889 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DAWT n. a caress ...1737 Sc. & Eng. dial.
vb. to pet, to fondle, to caress, to make much of ...1500-20 Sc.
• DAWTHER vb. to tremble, to shake; to move in an infirm, shaky manner, to totter ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAWTHERING adj. shaky, tottering, trembling ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAWTHERY adj. shaky, tottering, trembling ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAWTIE n. a person caressed or indulged; a darling, a pet, a favourite; a term of affection ...1676 Sc.
• DAWTY n. a person caressed or indulged; a darling, a pet, a favourite ...1676 Sc.
• DAW-YAW adj. slow-witted ...c1950 colloq.
• DAWZLE vb. to stun, to stupefy, to confuse, to daze ...1895 Eng. dial.
• DAWZLED adj. dazzled, dazed; stunned ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAXED adj. damned, confounded ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAXIE n. a dachshund ...1899 colloq.
• DAXY n. a dachshund ...1899 colloq.
• DAY adj. Caucasian or White ...20C US basketball sl.
† n. a day's travel; a day's journey ...1362
† vb. to dawn ...c1205
int. hello! good day! ...M19 colloq.
• DAY, THE n. today ...1814 Sc.
• DAY AFTER THE FAIR, A phr. too late ...1548
• DAY AN' DAILY adv. constantly, every day ...Bk1900 Sc. & Ireland
• DAY AND MARTIN n. (derogatory) a Black person ...c1840 sl.
• DAY AND NIGHT n. 1. light ale ...19C rhyming sl.
n. 2. a light (illumination) ...1992 UK rhyming sl.
• DAY-AND-NIGHT MERCHANT n. a lorry driver who breaks the law by driving more than 11 hours in 24 to undercut other drivers ...1964 UK sl.
• DAY AND TIME n. a period of time; an era ...1887 Amer. dial.
• DAY-BED adj. lazy, prone to lie late in bed ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAY BEFORE THE FAIR, THE phr. too early ...Bk1897
• DAY-BERRIES n. the wild gooseberry ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAY-BODY † n. a person taken  up with the things of the day ...1567-8
• DAYBOOK n. a book in which the occurrences or transactions of the day are entered; a diary, a journal ...1580
• DAY-BREAKING † n. the breaking of the day; dawn ...1598
• DAY-BUG n. a day-boy ...L19 schoolboys' sl.
• DAY-BUST n. daybreak; dawn ...1941 Amer. dial.
• DAY-CAT n. a female cat ...1887 Eng. dial.
• DAY CLEAN n. daybreak, full day ...1867 Amer. dial.
• DAY-DARGER n. a day worker ...1856 Eng. dial.
• DAY-DAW n. the dawn of day ...1887 Sc.
• DAY-DAWN n. the dawn of day, daybreak ...1813 chiefly poetic
• DAY-DAWZZLE n. the brightness of full daylight ...1931 Amer. dial.
• DAY-DAY n. a gesture of farewell ...1950 Amer. dial., chiefly Black usage
† int. (also as 'Day, Day!') a childish expression for 'good day'; goodbye; a gesture of farewell ...1712
• DAY DOWN n. sunset; late afternoon ...1894 Amer. dial.
• DAYENING † n. dawning, dawn ...c1250
• DAY-FALLING n. the close of day ...1872 Eng. dial. 
• DAY FOR A KING n. a day off; orig, when outdoor work was impossible, but used generally to cover any unofficial day off, as one that follows a night of over-enthusiastic enjoyment ...1947 NZ sl.
• DAY-FOR-DAY adv. serving a prison sentence without any reduction in the sentence for good behaviour ...1990 US sl.
• DAY FOR THE KING n. a day off; orig, when outdoor work was impossible, but used generally to cover any unofficial day off, as one that follows a night of over-enthusiastic enjoyment ...1947 NZ sl.
• DAY-GANG † n. a day's march or journey ...1840
• DAY GIG n. a nonmusical job a musician is forced to take for need of money ...1940s US Black sl.
• DAY-GLO adj. blatantly gaudy or tawdry; cheaply flashy; vulgarly colourful and bright...1950s Amer. sl.
• DAYING † n. the beginning of daylight; dawn, daybreak ...c1420
• DAYISH †* adj. pert. to day; diurnal ...1398
• DAY LATE AND A DIME SHORT, A adj. inadequate; overdue and lacking; too little too late ...1990s Amer. sl.
• DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT, A adj. inadequate; overdue and lacking; too little too late ...1990s Amer. sl.
• DAYLESS † adj. 1. without redress, resource or result ...c1380
adj. 2. devoid of the light of day; dark ...1816
adj. 3. not divided into days ...1839
• DAYLIGHT n. 1. a hole, esp. a fatal wound, made by a sword, a knife, or a bullet ...1774 sl.
n. 2. the space left in a glass between the top of the liquor and the rim; such a space is not allowed when drinking bumpers, thus the drinking toast 'No daylight' ...L18 sl.
n. 3. a clear and open space between two things, horses, players, boats, etc.; enough space for light to shine through ...1820 Amer. sl.
n. 4. a glass not full ...c1825 students' sl.
n. 5. in horse racing: the non-existent second-place finisher in a race won by a large margin ...1989 Aust. sl.
n. 6. bare necessities ...Irish sl.
vb. 1. to enlighten; to explain ...1970s US Black sl.
vb. 2. to work at a second job during the day ...1970s Amer. sl.
• DAYLIGHT DOWN n. the end of daylight; the beginning of darkness after sunset ...1769 Amer. dial.
• DAY-LIGHTENING n. morning, twilight, daybreak ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAY-LIGHT-FALLING n. twilight, evening, dusk ...1874 Eng. dial.
• DAY-LIGHT-GATE † n. the going or close of the day; twilight; evening, dusk ...1613 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• DAY-LIGHT-GOING n. twilight, evening, dusk ...1853 Eng. dial.
• DAY-LIGHT-GONE n. twilight, evening, dusk ...1853 Eng. dial.
• DAYLIGHTING n. working (usually illicitly) at a second job during daylight hours ...20C sl.
• DAYLIGHT IN THE SWAMP! int. used for rousing people from bed; time to wake up! ...1936 US logging sl.
• DAYLIGHT ROBBER n. a log-scaler ...1956 Amer. logging usage
• DAYLIGHT ROBBERY n. an exorbitant price ...1949 UK sl.
• DAYLIGHTS n. 1. the eyes ...1752 sl., esp. nautical usage
n. 2. wits, consciousness ...1819 US sl.
n. 3. the insides; the essence ...M19 sl. Cassells Sl Green 2005
n. 4. life ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAY-LIGHT'S-GATE n. twilight, evening, dusk ...1815 Eng. dial.
• DAYLIGHTY adj. full of daylight, as a picture ...1880 nonce word
• DAYLIGONE n. twilight ...1925 Irish sl.
• DAY-LIVER † n. one who lives for a day, or for the day ...1630
• DAYLY † n. a die or a knuckle-bone used as a die; also, a cubical piece of anything, a cube ...c1440
• DAYMAN n. a day labourer; one who works and is paid by the day ...1880
• DAY MARBLE n. a cheap marble ...1968 Amer. dial.
• DAY-MARE n. a condition similar to nightmare occurring during wakefulness ...1737
• DAYN † vb. to dawn ...c1250
• DAY OF LAW, THE † n. the day of trial ...1565
• DAY ONE n. the beginning; long ago ...1970s sl., orig. US
• DAY ON THE KING n. a day off; orig, when outdoor work was impossible, but used generally to cover any unofficial day off, as one that follows a night of over-enthusiastic enjoyment ...1947 NZ sl.
• DAY ON THE QUEEN n. a day off; orig, when outdoor work was impossible, but used generally to cover any unofficial day off, as one that follows a night of over-enthusiastic enjoyment ...1947 NZ sl.
• DAY OPENER n. an eye ...c1840 sl., orig. boxing usage
• DAY-PEEP n. peep of day; earliest dawn ...1606
• DAY PERSON n. one who prefers to be active during the daytime ...20C Amer. sl.
• DAY PLAYER n. an actor who is called for a single day's work on a television program or film set ...1988 US sl.
• DAY-PORT n. an upholstered couch or sofa, sometimes convertible to a bed ...1968 Amer. dial.
• DAY-RAWE † n. the first streak of day, the dawn ...c1200
• DAY-RED † n. the red of the break of day; the rosy dawn ...c1000
• DAY-REWE † n. the first streak of day, the dawn ...c1200
• DAY-RIM † n. the 'rim' or border of the coming day; the dawn ...c1000
• DAYS n. time of one's life; span of existence ...1466
• DAYS A-DAWNING n. morning ...1960 UK rhyming sl.
• DAY'S DAWNING n. morning ...1960 UK rhyming sl.
• DAY-SET † n. sunset ...c1386
• DAY-SHINE n. daylight ...c1822
• DAY-SHUTTING † n. close of day, sunset ...1673
• DAYSIDE n. a day shift ...1985 Amer. labourers' usage
• DAY-SKY n. daylight ...1838 Eng. dial.
• DAYSMAN n. 1. an umpire or arbitrator; a mediator ...1489 arch.
n. 2. a worker by the day; a day-labourer ...a1639
• DAYS OF NATURE n. lifetime ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAY'S PACK, THE n. defaulter's punishment ...20C military sl.
• DAY-SPRING n. daybreak, early dawn ...c1300 now chiefly poetic or figurative
• DAY-STAR n. the sun, as the orb of day ...1598 poetic
• DAYSTER n. a man who works by the day, and not by the piece ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAY-STREAK n. streak of dawn ...1850
• DAY-SUN † n. the sun ...1571 rhetorical and figurative
• DAYTAL n. a labourer engaged and paid by the day ...1790 Eng. dial.
• DAYTAL-CHAP n. a day labourer ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAYTAL-DANOCK n. a day labourer ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAYTAL-DICK n. a day labourer ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAYTALER n. a day labourer, a man who works by the day and not by the piece ...1877 Eng. dial.
• DAY-TALE WAGES n. wages paid by the day ...1560
• DAYTAL-FELLOW n. a day labourer ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAYTAL-HOUSE n. a house rent-free ...1851 Ireland
• DAYTAL-LABOURER n. a day labourer ...1895 Eng. dial.
• DAYTAL-MAN n. a day labourer ...1846 Eng. dial.
• DAYTAL-WIFE n. a day-labouring woman ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAYTAL-WORK n. labour paid by the day ...1865 Eng. dial.
• DAY THE EAGLE SHITS, THE n. payday ...World War II Amer. sl.
• DAY THE OMELETTE HIT THE FAN, THE phr. used to describe a day when everything goes wrong ...c1966 sl.
• DAY-TIDE n. daytime ...1818 poetic
• DAY TO DAY adj. unencumbered by thoughts of the long term, living one day at a time ...1983 US sl.
• DAY TRIPPER n. 1. a heartbreaker, esp. one who pretends to be serious so that he may get his sexual way ...1966 sl.
n. 2. an immoral woman ...1967 Amer. dial.
• DAY-WAIT † n. a watcher or watchman by day ...1496
• DAYWARD adv. towards the day ...1597-1602
• DAY-WATER n. surface water ...1808
• DAZE vb. to daydream ...1970s US campus sl.
• DAZEMENT * n. the state of being dazed ...1855
• DAZIE adj. of the weather: cold, raw, without sunshine ...Bk1900 Sc.
• DAZINESS †* n. dazedness, dizziness ...1554
• DAZY adj. 1. chill, chilling, benumbing with cold ...1825 Sc.
* adj. 2. in a dazed condition ...1880
• DAZZER n. a heavy blow ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAZZEY DUKS n. very short shorts; 'hot pants' ...1990s US Black teen sl.
• DAZZIN adj. lazy ...1882 Eng. dial.
• DAZZITY n. the performance of a challenging action of strength, skill, or risk by boys ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DAZZLE DUST † n. face powder ...1946 Can. teen sl.
• DAZZLE PAINTING n. camouflage ...Bk2004 Amer. World War I sl.
• DAZZLER n. 1. one who dazzles; a showy or ostentatious woman ...a1800 colloq.
n. 2. a brilliant act ...c1835 sl.
n. 3. a dazzling blow ...1883 sl.
n. 4. the sun ...Brit. sl.
n. 5. something excellent ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 6. something beautiful or attractive ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DAZZLE SOMEONE WITH FOOTWORK vb. to impress someone with facile virtuosity ...1980s Amer. sl.
• DAZZLE WITH SCIENCE vb. to defeat by sheer brains ...20C colloq.
• DAZZLING adj. resplendently beautiful; gorgeous ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DAZZLY adj. dazzling ...Bk1900 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• D.B. adj. 1. 'damn bad' ...L19 Brit. sl.
adj. 2. Damned Bad ...1909 theatrical colloq.
n. 1. a dead body ...1973 US sl.
n. 2. a socially inept person (Douche Bag) ...2003 US sl.
• D-BOY n. a drug dealer ...1990s US Black teen sl.
• D.C. n. 1. the Dress Circle in the theatre ...1900s Aust. sl.
n. 2. a Dangerous Character ...1930s US criminals' sl.
n. 3. a hamburger with every possible trimming and condiment ...1966 US sl.
n. 4. a Detention Centre ...1980s UK criminals' sl.
n. 5. the Death Cell ...1990s US prison sl.
• D'D adj. damned ...M19 euphemism
• DD adj. said of a criminal who gives up no information at all if arrested ...1950 US sl.
n. a person who is Deaf and Dumb ...1926 US sl.
• D.D.F.M.G. n. an exceptionally attractive member of the opposite sex (Drop Dead Fuck Me Gorgeous) ...1990s US campus sl.
• D.D.G. adj. extremely attractive (Drop-Dead Gorgeous) ...2000s sl.
• DDH n. an incredibly attractive male (Drop-Dead Honey) ...20C Aust. teen sl.
• D-DOG n. a dog trained to detect hidden drugs ...1992 US sl.
• D.D.T! int. 1. an exclamation of dismissal or contempt (Drop Dead Twice) ...1947 US campus sl.
int. 2. a command to stop doing something (Don't Do That) ...1970s US sl.
• DE n. 1. a DEfendant ...1970s US criminals' sl.
n. 2. the DEceased ...1970s US criminals' sl.
• DEAC n. a deacon ...1742 Amer. sl.
• DEACON n. 1. a superior or head workman; an adept, a proficient, a master; a thoroughly capable man ...1790 Sc.
n. 2. a chimney-sweep's scraper ...19C chimney-sweeps' usage
n. 3. a prison warden ...1949 US sl.
n. 4. (derogatory) an excessively stupid or unpleasant person ...20C teen sl.
vb. 1. 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 ...1855 US sl.
vb. 2. to sophisticate, to adulterate, to doctor, as, to 'deacon' wine or other liquor ...1889 Amer. sl.
• DEACON SEAT n. 1. in a lumber camp: the long bench in the bunkhouse ...1851 US sl.
n. 2. the seats nearest a fire ...1975 US sl.
• DEACON-SEATER n. a good tall story ...1975 Amer. dial.
• DEACON'S NOSE n. the flat lobe at the nether end of a chicken, which is like a mammal's tail, base for the tail-feathers ...1967 Can. sl.
• DEACTION † n. a finishing or perfecting ...1656
• DEAD adj. 1. dull; tedious and uninteresting ...1000
† adj. 2. of the face: deadly pale, wan ...c1386
adj. 3. ruined; destroyed; ...1400
adj. 4. lacking brilliance and overtones; flat; dull ...1530
adj. 5. absolute; assured ...1589
adj. 6. complete, utter ...E17
adj. 7. of a beer bottle, whisky bottle, or other bottle: finished, empty ...M18 sl.
† adj. 8. flat ...1782
adj. 9. very drunk ...19C
adj. 10. tired to exhaustion ...1813 Amer. sl.
* adj. 11. perfect; genuine; veritable; unmistakable; absolute ...1819 Amer. sl.
adj. 12. of things, ideas: unfashionable, out of style ...M19 US Black sl.
adj. 13. of people: forgotten ...M19 US Black sl.
adj. 14. ample; great in number or quantity ...1866 Amer. sl.
adj. 15. unconscious, senseless ...1887 Amer. dial.
adj. 16. being no longer a tramp or criminal; reformed ...1899 Amer. sl.
adj. 17. of a house or place: uninhabited, empty, deserted ...L19 sl.
adj. 18. having no knowledge; exceedingly stupid; dense ...1900s sl.
adj. 19. not operating; not startable ...1902 Amer. sl.
adj. 20. quiet ...20C Aust. sl.
adj. 21. in basketball: having completed a dribble and being forced either to shoot or pass ...20C sl.
adj. 23. of a horse racing track: not conducive to fast racing ...20C Aust. sl.
adj. 24. sexually dull ...20C Aust. sl.
adj. 25. of a place, esp. a club or party: boring, unexciting ...1930s sl.
adj. 26. finished; lost; arrested, captured ...1950s sl.
adj. 27. of a racehorse: not run on its merits; ridden to lose deliberately ...1957 Aust. sl.
adj. 28. intoxicated with marijuana ...M20 US drugs sl.
adj. 29. penniless ...1960s US Black sl.
adj. 30. in pinball: said of a bumper that scores when hit but does not propel the ball back into play ...1977 US sl.
adj. 31. in a bar: used to describe a drink that has been abandoned ...1985 UK sl.
adj. 32. facing trouble ...1990s US campus sl.
adj. 33. in pool: said of a shot made such that the cue ball stops completely after striking the object ball ...1990 US sl.
adj. 34. of dice: weighted to have one face land up more often than the law of averages would predict ...1993 US sl.
adv. intensifier; very, thoroughly, absolutely, extremely, completely; wholeheartedly ...1589
n. 1. death ...1766 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial.
n. 2. a complete failure in recitation ...1827 Amer. students' sl.
n. 3. problems, trouble ...20C W. Indies & Barbados sl.
n. 4. a letter or package that can neither be delivered nor returned ...1950s US Post Office usage
n. 5. an empty house ...L20 sl.
n. 6. a corpse ...1971 Barbados
n. 7. in card games: cards that have been discarded ...1973 US sl.
† vb. 1. to become dead; to die ...c950
† vb. 2. to deprive of sensation or consciousness; to stupefy; to benumb ...1382
† vb. 3. to lose vitality, force, or vigour; to become numb; to lose heat or glow ...c1384
† vb. 4. to deprive of force or vigour ...1586
vb. 5. to loaf around; to idle ...20C US sl.
vb. 6. of a teacher: to cause a student to fail in recitation ...1837 Amer. sl.
vb. 7. to make a complete failure in recitation; to be ignorant of the lesson ...1847 Amer. sl.
vb. 8. to remove, to steal ...2000s US prison sl.
• DEAD, THE n. horse as dead certainties ...c1870 turf sl.
• DEAD-A-BIRD adj. nearly dying; ill ...1893 Eng. dial.
• DEAD ABOVE THE EARS adj. inattentive; absent-minded ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DEAD AIR n. a sudden and undesirable silence ...1950s US Broadcasting sl.
• DEAD ALIVE adj. 1. dull, inactive, spiritless; stupid ...1591 chiefly US
adj. 2. miserable, down in the mouth ...M19 sl.
adv. ('dead-alive) extremely slowly ...1971 Trinidad and Tobago
n. in bingo: the number five ...1981 UK sl.
• DEAD AND ALIVE adj. 1. miserable, down in the mouth ...M19 sl.
adj. 2. dull, inactive, spiritless, stupid ...a1862 chiefly US
• DEAD AND GONE adj. dead and buried ...1871 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DEAD AND GONE BACK adj. dead and buried ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DEAD AND HAPPED UP adj. dead and buried ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DEAD AND LOW LAID adj. dead and buried ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DEAD AND WON'T LIE DOWN phr. refusing to give in ...20C Aust. sl.
• DEADAS n. meat ...1990s W. Indies sl.
• DEAD AS A BED-POST adj. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DEAD AS A DODO, AS adj. absolutely lifeless; entirely hopeless; defunct or out of date ...1904 sl.
• DEAD AS A DOOR-NAIL adj. completely or certainly dead; absolutely lifeless; entirely hopeless ...c1350
• DEAD AS A DOOR-POST adj. quite dead ...1906 Amer. dial.
• DEAD AS A HAMMER, AS adj. quite dead ...1866 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• DEAD AS A HATCHET adj. quite dead ...1899 Amer. dial.
• DEAD AS A HERRING adj. completely or certainly dead ...1598
• DEAD AS A LOG adj. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DEAD AS A MACKEREL adj. quite dead ...1853 Amer. dial.
• DEAD AS A MAGGOT, AS adj. quite dead ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DEAD AS A MAWK, AS adj. quite dead ...1805 Sc.
• DEAD AS A MELL, AS adj. 'as dead as a door-nail'; quite dead ...1798 Sc.
• DEAD AS A MOA adj. long dead; outmoded ...1955 NZ sl.
• DEAD AS A NIT, AS adj. quite dead ...1883 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• DEAD AS A PICKLED HERRING adj. quite dead ...1852 Amer. dial.
• DEAD AS A RAG, AS adj. quite dead ...BK1900 Eng. dial.
• DEAD AS A SMELT, AS adj. quite dead ...1854 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• DEAD AS A WOODEN INDIAN adj. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DEAD AS BARNEY'S BULL, AS adj. absolutely worthless ...M19  sl.
• DEAD AS BILLY-BE-DAMNED adj. very dead ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• DEAD AS CHOPPED SAUSAGE adj. quite dead ...1843 Amer. dial.
• DEAD AS DISCO adj. completely dead ...1995 US sl.
• DEAD AS DITCHWATER, AS adj. of beer, spirits, etc.: flat, stale ...Bk1900 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DEAD AS DOGSHIT adj. absolutely dead ...1980s sl.
• DEAD AS HANNAH EMERSON adj. quite dead ...1907 Amer. dial.
• DEAD AS HAY adj. lifeless; lacking energy ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• DEAD AS HECTOR adj. quite dead ...1908 Amer. dial.
• DEAD AS JULIUS CAESAR adj. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DEAD AS KELSEY'S NUTS adj. very definitely dead; out of favour ...1930s US sl.
• DEAD-ASS adj. 1. very boring, feeble, or very stupid ...20C Amer. sl.
adj. 2. lacking animation, energy, or spirit; lifeless; usually considered vulgar (usually as 'dead-ass')...1961 Amer. sl.
adv. 1. utterly; absolutely; completely, totally; usually considered vulgar ...1971 Amer. sl.
adv. 2. lifelessly, listlessly ...1970s US sl.
n. 1. the seated rump; usually considered vulgar ...1950 Amer. sl.
n. 2. a lazy or stupid person; a boring, useless or feeble person; an absolute dullard; an idler ...1959 Amer. sl.
n. 3. one whose case is hopeless; a goner ...1968 Amer. sl.
• 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 adj. very bored ...1950s sl., orig. military
• 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
• 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.
י 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 † 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.
• 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.
• 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 † v. 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. comely, beautiful ...1500-20 Sc.
• DECOLL † vb. to behead ...1648
• DECOLLATE † adj. beheaded ...c1470 obs. or arch.
vb. to sever at the neck; to behead ...1599
• DECOLLATED adj. severed at the neck; beheaded, decapitated ...1662
• DECOLLATION n. the act of beheading; the fact of being beheaded ...1387
• DECOLORATE adj. having lost its colour ...1882
† vb. 1. to discolour, to stain ...1623
vb. 2. to deprive of colour ...a1846
• DECOLORATION † n. 1. discoloration, a staining ...1623
n. 2. deprivation or loss of colour ...1640
• DECOLORIZATION n. the act of depriving of its colour ...1871
• DECOLOUR † vb. 1. to discolour ...c1618
† vb. 2. to pollute, to defile ...1630
vb. 3. to deprive of colour ...1831
• DECOLOURED †* adj. cut low in the neck; low-necked ...c1430
• DECOLOURIZE vb. to deprive of colour ...1836-9
• DECOMBOBLATE vb. to disarrange; to put out of order; to confuse, to perplex, to disconcert ...1965 Amer. dial.
• 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. crossed over each other, intersecting, cross-shaped ...1658
• DECUSSION †* n. a shaking down or off; a dislodging or removing by shaking ...1664
• DECUTE † vb. to cut off ...1623
• DECUTIENT † adj. that shakes or beats down ...1656
• DEDA adj. simple, foolish, of inactive mind and body ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DEDECORATE † adj. disgraced, disgraceful, dishonourable ...a1500
† vb. 1. to disgrace, to dishonour ...1609
vb. 2. to disfigure; to do the opposite of decorating ...1804
• DEDECORATION * n. a disgracing, or dishonouring ...1658
• DEDECOROSE † adj. shameful, disgraceful, dishonourable, dishonest, unbecoming ...1727
• DEDECOROUS † adj. disgraceful, reproachful, shameful, dishonourable, unbecoming, uncomely, unseemly, dishonest ...1727
• DEDEFY † vb. to dedicate a building ...1482
• DEDEIGN † vb. to lower ...1536 Sc.
• DEDENTITION n. the shedding of the teeth, esp. of the first set ...1646
• DEDICATE † adj. dedicated ...c1386
†* vb. to address a letter or other communication to ...1688
• DEDIE † vb. to dedicate ...c1430
• DEDIFY † vb. to dedicate a building ...1482
• DEDIGITATE! int. a command to 'pull your finger out' ...World War II sl.
• DEDIGNATION † n. 1. disdain, scorn, contempt ...c1400
† n. 2. displeasure, anger ...1538
• DEDIGNE † vb. to disdain, to scorn ...1623
• DEDIGNIFY † vb. to deprive of dignity or worthiness; to disparage, to flout ...1654
• DEDITION † n. 1. giving up, yielding, surrender ...1523 rare or obs.
† n. 2. submission ...1667
• DEDITITIOUS †* adj. yielding, submitting ...1727
• DEDIVILED adj. possessed, bedeviled ...1903 Amer. dial.
• DEDOLEATE † vb. to end one's sorrow or grief ...1623
• DEDOLENCE † n. absence of grief or sorrow; insensibility, callousness, hard-heartedness ...1606
• DEDOLENCY † n. absence of grief or sorrow; insensibility, callousness, hard-heartedness ...a1617
• DEDOLENT † adj. that feels sorrow no more; feeling no compunction; insensible, callous, hard-hearted ...1633
• DEDUCE † vb. 1. to lead away, to turn aside, to divert ...1541
† vb. 2. to lead, to bring ...1545
† vb. 3. to deduct, to subtract ...1563-7
† vb. 4. to bring or draw water from ...1602
• DEDUCEMENT † n. a deduction, inference, conclusion ...1605
• DEDUCIBLE †* adj. that may be or is to be deducted ...1613
• DEDUCING † n. deduction ...1530
• DEDUCIVE * adj. performing the act of deduction ...1755
• DEDUCT † adj. deducted ...1439
† vb. 1. to derive; to trace the derivation or descent of ...1530
† vb. 2. to derive by reasoning; to infer, to deduce ...1563
† vb. 3. to reduce ...1599
• DEDUCTILE * adj. easy to be deducted ...1727
• DEDUCTION † n. 1. a detailed narration or account ...a1531
† n. 2. the process of deducing or deriving from some source; derivation ...1612
†* n. 3. reduction ...1683
• DEDUCTIONAL * adj. pert. to deduction or inference ...1683
• DEDUCTIVE † adj. derivative ...1646
† n. deductive reasoning; a deduction ...1677
• DEDUCTORY * adj. pert. to inference ...1655
• DEDUIT † adj. drawn out ...1485
† n. diversion, enjoyment, pleasure ...1297
• DEE n. 1. a die (dice) ...1830 Eng. dial.
n. 2. a detective; any police officer whatsoever ...c1840 sl.
n. 3. a penny ...c1870 colloq.
n. 4. a police spy; an informer ...Bk1902 sl.
n. 5. a dollar ...1990s US campus sl.
• DEECE vb. to run fast ...1909 Amer. dial., chiefly used among boys
• DEED! int. an exclamation of confirmation or interrogation ...1806 Sc.
• 'DEED AND 'DEED adv. to be sure; really and truly; used to emphasize an assertion ...1916 Amer. dial.
• 'DEED AND DOUBLE adv. to be sure; really and truly; used to emphasize an assertion ...1895 Amer. dial.
• DEEDBOTE † n. amends-deed, penance, repentance ...c1000
• DEE-DEE n. a chickadee ...1959 Amer. dial.
• DEEDEED adj. damned; 'd--d' ...20C US euphemism
• DEEDFUL adj. 1. brisk, active ...1834
adj. 2., full of action or deeds, effective ...1842
• DEEDFULLY adv. actively, effectively ...1615
• DEEDIE adj. full of activity; painstaking, earnest ...1852 Sc. & Eng. dial.
n. a young chicken ...1885 Amer. dial.
• DEEDILY adv. actively, busily ...1813 Eng. dial.
• DEEDING †* n. actual doing, carrying out in deed ...1606
• DEEDLE † n. 1. a devil ...1653 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
n. 2. mortal injury or sickness; death ...1853 Sc.
vb. 1. to dandle, as one does an infant ...B1900 Sc.
vb. 2. to sing in a low key; to croon over an air without the words of the song ...1870 Sc.
• DEEDLE-DOODLE n. a meaningless song, or badly-played tune ...B1900 Sc.
• DEEDLESS adj. helpless, spiritless, inefficient ...1876 Eng. dial.
• DEEDLEY-DUMPLIN' n. a term of endearment ...1890 Sc.
• DEED OF KIND n. copulation ...19C Brit. sl.
• DEED OF PLEASURE n. copulation ...19C Brit. sl.
• DEEDONC n. a French soldier ...Bk2004 Amer. World War I sl.
• DEEDY adj. 1. full of deeds or activity; active, brisk;  ...1615 chiefly Eng. dial.
†* adj. 2. actual, real ...1781
adj. 3. painstaking, earnest ...1852 Sc. & Eng. dial.
adj. 4. serious, solemn ...1895 chiefly Eng. dial.
• DEEFY n. 1. a deaf person ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. 2. a worthless thing with no outwardly good appearance ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DEEGLE vb. to purloin, to steal; a word used by boys ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DEEKER n. 1. a ditcher, a man who makes and cleans out dikes or ditches ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
n. 2. a police spy; an informer ...Bk1902 sl.
• DEE-LICIOUS adj. excellent; first-rate ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DEEM † n. judgement, opinion, thought, surmise ...1501
† vb. 1. to give or pronounce judgement; to act as judge, to sit in judgement; to give one's decision, sentence, or opinion; to arbitrate ...c825
† vb. 2. to pronounce, to proclaim, to celebrate, to announce, to declare; to tell, to say, to utter ...a1000
† vb. 3. to sentence, to doom, to condemn to some penalty ...a1000
† vb. 4. to pass judgement upon; to condemn, to censure ...a1300
† vb. 5. to think of something as existent; to guess, to suspect, to surmise, to imagine ...c1400
† vb. 6. to decide a quarrel ...1494
† vb. 7. to judge between things; to distinguish, to discern ...1530
• DEEMER † n. 1. a judge ...c950
† n. 2. one that distinguishes or discriminates ...c1400
† n. 3. one who censures or (unfavourably) criticizes others ...c1410
n. 4. a dime; one who tips a dime; a dime tip ...1927 Amer. dial.
• DEEMING † n. 1. judging, judgement ...1303
† n. 2. censure; a surmise or suspicion ...1476
• DEEMSTER † n. a judge ...1748 obs. or arch.
• DEEN n. a din, noise; a sound ...1691 Eng. dial.
vb. 1. to din, to make a noise ...B1900 Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to dress ...1867 Ireland
• DEENER n. a shilling ...1839 chiefly Aust. & NZ usage
• DEEP † adj. 1. solemn, grave ...a1000
† adj. 2. of ground or roads: covered with a depth of mud, sand, or loose soil ...c1386
adj. 3. profoundly cunning, artful, or sly ...1513
† adj. 4. serious, weighty, important ...1596
†* adj. 5. far advanced in time; late ...1599
† adj. 6. said of things involving heavy expenditure or liability; expensive; heavy ...1614
†* n. 1. depth, deepness ...c1000
† n. 2. the middle of winter, or of night, when the cold, stillness, or darkness it most intense; the 'depth' ...1530
† vb. 1. to make deep, to deepen ...c930
† vb. 2. to go deep, to penetrate ...a1225
† vb. 3. to plunge or immerse deeply; to drown ...c1380
• DEEP, THE n. the ocean ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DEEP AS GARLICK adj. artful, cunning ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DEEP AS GARRATT adj. artful, cunning ...1856 Eng. dial.
• DEEP AS GARRICK adj. artful, cunning ...1882 Eng. dial.
• DEEP AS GARRY adj. artful, cunning ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DEEP AS THE NORTH adj. artful, cunning ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DEEP AS THE NORTH STAR adj. artful, cunning ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DEEP AS WILKES adj. artful, cunning ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DEEP-BRAINED adj. full of profound thought; ingenious ...1597
• DEEP CUT adj. heavily intoxicated with alcohol ...20C colloq.
• DEEP END n. the border between sanity and insanity ...1950s Amer. sl.
• DEEP-FET † adj. fetched from deep in the bosom, or from far below the surface of things; coming from a depth ...1593
• DEEPLY † adv. with deep seriousness, solemnly ...c1300
• DEEPMOST * adj. deepest ...1810
• DEEP-MOUTHED adj. having a deep or sonorous voice ...1595
• DEEPNESS † n. 1. a deep place or cavity, an abyss; a deep part of the sea, etc. ...a1000
† n. 2. deep cunning or subtlety ...1526
• DEEPOOPERIT adj. applied to one in a state of imbecility, mentally or bodily; worn out ...B1900 Sc.
• DEEPOT n. a railway station or depot ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DEEP-SEA CHICKEN n. canned salmon ...World War II Amer. sl.
• DEEP-SEA TURKEY n. canned salmon ...World War II Amer. sl.
• DEEP-SEEN † adj. that sees or has seen deeply into things ...1597-8
• DEEPSHIP †* n. a profound secret or mystery ...a1225
• DEEP SIX n. a grave ...20C US colloq.
vb. to kill someone or bury someone or something; to throw something away ...M20 US
• DEEPSOME * adj. having deepness or depth; more or less deep ...1615 poetic
• DEEPTH n. craft, subtlety ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DEEP-WATER BAPTIST n. a member of a Baptist church that practices baptism by total immersion ...1949 Amer. dial.
• DEEP YELLOW adj. of a Black person: light-skinned ...1974 Amer. dial.
• DEER † n. a beast; usually a quadruped, as distinguished from birds and fishes; sometimes applied to animals of lower orders ...c950
• DEER-EYED adj. having soft or languid eyes ...Bk1897
• DEER FEAR n. the nervous excitement felt by an inexperienced hunter at the sight of game ...1965 Amer. dial.
• DEER FEVER n. the nervous excitement felt by an inexperienced hunter at the sight of game ...1965 Amer. dial.
• DEER FRIGHT n. the nervous excitement felt by an inexperienced hunter at the sight of game ...1951 Amer. dial.
• DEERICIDE n. the killing or killer of a deer ...1832 nonce word
• DEER-KIN † n. beast-kind as distinct from man ...a1175
• DEERLET n. a little or tiny deer ...1878
• DE-ERR †* vb. to go astray, to diverge ...1657
• DEER-SCARED adj. said of a hunter who gets so excited at the sight of game that he can't shoot ...1966 Amer. dial.
• DEER-TIGER n. the puma or cougar ...Bk1897
• DEES adj. pleasant, amenable ...1970s US sl.
• DEES, THE n. the police as an organization ...M19 NZ sl.
• DEESHY-DOSHY adj. very small ...1862 Ireland
• DEESTER n. a doer, a promoter, an agent ...1871 Sc.
• DEET adj. dirtied, soiled ...1740 Eng. dial.
• DEETED adj. dirtied, soiled ...1864 Eng. dial.
• DEE-TERMINED adj. determined ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DEEVIE adj. delightful, pleasing ...1900 sl., chiefly Brit.
• DEE-VINE adj. excellent; first-rate ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DEEVY adj. delightful, pleasing ...1900 sl., chiefly Brit.
• DEF adj. outstanding; excellent; terrific; common in rap music lyrics ... 1979 sl., orig. rap musicians’ usage
• DEFACE † n. defacement ...1556
† vb. 1. to destroy, to demolish, to lay waste ...1494
† vb. 2. to destroy the reputation or credit of; to discredit, to defame ...1529
† vb. 3. to put out of countenance; to outface, to abash ...1537
• DEFADE † vb. to lose freshness or fairness; to fade away; to grow worse in quality or character ...c1325
• DEFAIL † vb. 1. to lose vigour, to become weak, to decay ...1340
† vb. 2. to be insufficient, to be wanting, to lack ...a1400
† vb. 3. to overcome, to defeat ...1608
• DEFAILANCE † n. failing, failure ...1603
• DEFAILING † n. 1. deficiency, lack, shortage ...1502
† n. 2. weakening, decline in health ...1580
• DEFAILLANCE † n. failing, failure ...1603
• DEFAILLANCY † n. failing, failure ...1649
• DEFAILMENT † n. failure ...1612
• DEFAILURE †* n. failure ...a1677
• DEFAITE adj. defeated, vanquished ...1597 Sc.
• DEFALCABLE †* adj. liable to be deducted ...1622
• DEFALCATE † adj. curtailed, diminished ...1531
† vb. 1. to cut or lop off; to deduct, to subtract, to abate ...1540-1
† vb. 2. to take or deduct a part from; to curtail, to reduce ...a1690
• DEFALCATION † n. 1. diminution or reduction by taking away a part; cutting down, abatement, curtailment ...1476
n. 2. the act of cutting or lopping off or taking away; deduction ...1624 arch.
n. 3. falling away, defection; shortcoming, failure, delinquency ...1750
• DEFALCE † vb. to take or deduct a part from; to curtail, to reduce ...1651
• DEFALK † vb. 1. to diminish by cutting off a part, to reduce by deductions ...1475
† vb. 2. to cut or lop off; to deduct, to subtract, to abate ...1536
• DEFALLATION † n. failure, failing ...1490
• DEFAMABLE * adj. liable to be defamed ...1570
• DEFAMATE * vb. to defame, to slander ...Bk1897
• DEFAMATION † n. the bringing of ill fame or dishonour upon any one; disgrace, shame ...1303
• DEFAMATIVE † adj. defamatory, slanderous, calumnious ...1502
• DEFAMATOR †* n. one who defames; a slanderer ...1704
• DEFAME † n. 1. ill fame, evil repute; dishonour, disgrace, infamy ...1375
† n. 2. defamation, slander, calumny ...a1450
† vb. 1. to bring ill fame, infamy or dishonour upon; to dishonour or disgrace; to render infamous ...1303 obs. or arch.
† vb. 2. to publish, to spread abroad, to proclaim ...1382
• DEFAMED † adj. brought to disgrace, dishonoured, of ill fame ...1474
• DEFAMELESS * adj. free from discredit or reproach; of good repute, reputable ...1888
• DEFAMOUS † adj. 1. infamous, disgraceful, dishonourable ...1426
† adj. 2. of speech or writing: defamatory, slanderous, calumnious ...1557
• DEFAMOUSLY † adv. defamatorily ...1557
• DEFAMY † n. defamation ...1490
• DEFATE adj. defeated, vanquished ...1597 Sc.
• DEFATIGABLE † adj. 1. apt to be wearied; capable of being wearied ...1656
† adj. 2. apt to weary or fatigue ...1657
• DEFATIGABLENESS n. aptness to be tired ...1727
• DEFATIGATE † vb. to make weary, to tire out, to exhaust with labour ...1552
• DEFATIGATION † n. the act of wearying out, or condition of being wearied out; fatigue ...1508
• DEFAULT † n. 1. a failure in duty; a wrong act or deed; a fault, misdeed, offence ...a1225
† n. 2. lack of food or other necessaries; want, poverty ...c1290
† n. 3. absence of something wanted; want, lack, scarcity of ...a1300 obs. or arch.
† n. 4. failure in duty, care, etc., as the cause of some untoward event; culpable neglect of some duty or obligation ...a1300
† n. 5. physical defect or blemish ...1340
† n. 6. a failure in what is attempted; an error, mistake ...c1386
† vb. 1. to be wanting; to fail ...c1340
† vb. 2. to fail in strength or vigour, to faint; to suffer failure ...1382
†* vb. 3. to have want of, to be deprived of ...c1440
† vb. 4. to fail to perform; to omit, to neglect ...1648
• DEFAULTED † adj. having defaults or defects, defective ...1580
• DEFAULTIVE † adj. deficient, faulty, remiss ...a1400
• DEFAULTLESS †* adj. faultless ...1340
• DEFAULT OF THE SUN † n. an eclipse ...1520
• DEFAULTRESS * n. a female defaulter ...1736
• DEFAULTURE †* n. the act of defaulting; failure to fulfil an engagement ...1632
• DEFAULTY † adj. faulty, defective; in fault ...c1440
• DEFEAT † adj. exhausted from the effects of sickness or fatigue ...1814 Sc.
• DEFECTED adj. retarded, not normal ...1967 Amer. dial.
• DEFFEST n. the best; the coolest ...20C teen & high school sl.
• DEFIATORY †* adj. bearing defiance or a challenge; defiant ...1635
• DEFICIOUS †* adj. deficient, lacking ...1540-1
• DEFILE THE MARRIAGE-BED vb. to commit adultery ...1712
• DEFOOD vb. to vomit ...20C US sl.
• DEFORM n. a deformed person ...1812 Sc.
• DEFT  adj. 1. pretty; neat ...1671 Eng. dial.
adj. 2. of quantity: ample ...1882 Eng. dial.
adj. 3. quiet, silent ...1897 Eng. dial.
• DEFTLY adj. well in health. hearty ...1834 Eng. dial.
• DEG n. 1. a stroke or sharp blow ...1823 Sc.
n. 2. damp, moisture; a drop of water ...1897 Eng. dial.
vb. 1. to sprinkle water upon anything; to bedew, to moisten, to soak ...1781 Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to strike with a sharp-pointed weapon ...1825 Sc.
vb. 3. of a sore: to run, to ooze; to fester ...1859 Eng. dial.
vb. 4. to drizzle with rain ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DEGER adj. ten ...1996 UK polari sl.
n. the number 10 ...M19 sl.
• DEGESS n. digestion ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DEGG n. damp, moisture; a drop of water ...1897 Eng. dial.
vb. 1. to sprinkle water upon anything; to bedew, to moisten, to soak ...1781 Eng. dial.
vb. 2. of a sore: to run, to ooze; to fester ...1859 Eng. dial.
vb. 3. to drizzle with rain ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DEGGER n. a man watering with a can ...1895 Eng. dial.
• DEGGING-CAN n. a watering-can ...1892 Eng. dial.
• DEGGY adj. drizzly, foggy ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DEGO n. (derogatory) orig. a Spaniard, Portuguese, or other Caucasian of southern Europe or Latin America; broadly, a foreigner ...1832 US sl.
• DEGORE adj. plentiful, abundant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• DEGRANDINATE †* vb. to hail much ...1623
• DEGREE n. an type or breed, as of a dog ...1962 Amer. dial.
• DEHONESTATE †* vb. to dishonour, to disgrace, to disparage, to slander, to calumniate ...1663
• DEHORN n. 1. a hard drinker, a drunkard; one inclined to fight when drunk ...1926 Amer. dial.
n. 2. bootleg alcohol; any kind of liquor ...1926 Amer. dial.
vb. 1. to castrate ...20C Amer. dial.
vb. 2. to copulate ...M20 US sl.
vb. 3. to water down alcohol, particularly if it is bad ...1958 Amer. dial.
• DEHORNED adj. denied or deprived of position or authority; demoted or discharged ...1945 Amer. dial.
• DEHORNER n. a hard drinker, a drunkard; one inclined to fight when drunk ...1958 Amer. dial.
• DEHYDRATED WATER n. a nonexistent substance used as the basis of a practical joke ...1970 Amer. dial.
• DEIGHLE n. a simpleton ...1890 Sc.
• DEIGNOUS † adj. disdainful, proud, haughty, scornful ...c1330
• DEIPNOSOPHIST n. a master of the art of dining ...1656
• DEJEUNE n. breakfast ...1833 Sc.
• DEKE n. a deacon ...1742 Amer. sl.
• DEKH n. a look, a glance ...1853 sl., orig. Anglo-Indian
• DEKI! int. a call to sheep; come! ...1970 Amer. dial.
• DEKK n. a look, a glance ...M19 sl.
vb. to see, to look at ...20C sl.
• DEKKO n. a look, a glance ...1894 Brit. sl., orig. army sl.
• DEKNACKERED adj. castrated; emasculated ...20C
• DELABRATE †* vb. to dilapidate, to ruin ...1813
• DELACRIMATE † vb. to weep ...1623
• DELATION n. an accusation ...1792 Sc.
• DELATOR n. an informer, an accuser ...1616 Sc.
• DELAVERLY adv. continuously ...1865 Sc.
• DELAYOUS †* adj. given to delay; dilatory; procrastinating ...1469
• DELEER vb. to intoxicate, to make drunk, to render 'delirious' ...1821 Sc.
• DELEERIT adj. 1. gone mad, out of one's senses ...1824 Sc.
adj. 2. intoxicated with alcohol ...20C US colloq.
• DELENIFICAL †* adj. soothing, pacifying, mitigating; making gentle; assuaging pain ...1656
• DELF n. 1. earthenware, crockery ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
n. 2. a pond ...1841 Eng. dial.
• DELFIN adj. made of earthenware ...1897 Sc.
• DELFWARE n. earthenware, crockery ...1874 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DELHI BELLY n. diarrhoea suffered by visitors to India ...1944 sl.
• DELI n. a delicatessen ...c1954 sl., orig. & chiefly US
• DELIBATE † vb. 1. to take a little of; to taste, to sip ...1623
† vb. 2. to take away as a small part; to pluck, to cull ...1655-60
• DELIBLE adj. able to be deleted or effaced ...E17
• DELICATE CONDITION n. pregnancy ...20C US euphemism
• DELICATE TAINT n. venereal disease, esp. gonorrhea ...E19 Brit. euphemism
• DELICATUDE †* n. delicateness; deliciousness ...1727
• DELICIATE †* vb. 1. to take one's pleasure; to enjoy oneself; to indulge in delicacies; to feast; to revel; to luxuriate ...1633
†* vb. 2. to fill with delight; to render delightful; to delight ...1658
• DELICIOUS adj. excellent; first-rate ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DELICIOUS JAM n. semen ...sl.
• DELICUN SQUINTON n. whisky; "...makes you speak the truth and gives you everlasting remembrance" ...1946 Amer. dial.
• DELIGHTABLE * adj. causing delight; delightful ...ME
• DELIGHTSOME adj. delightful ...E16 now literary
• DELILAH n. a temptress; a seductive and treacherous woman ...L16
• DELIRIOUS TREMORS n. delirium tremens ...1968 Amer. dial.
• DELIRITNESS n. madness ...1823 Sc.
• DELIRIUM TREMBLES n. delirium tremens ...1968 Amer. dial.
• DELIRIUM TREMORS n. delirium tremens ...1968 Amer. dial.
• DELISH adj. 1. delicious ...E20 colloq.
adj. 2. excellent; first-rate ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DELITABLE † adj. affording delight; delightful, pleasant, delectable ...c1290
• DELITESCENT adj. lying hid, concealed, or obscured ...1684
• DELITIGATE †* vb. to scold or chide vehemently ...1623
• DELITOUS † adj. delightful ...c1400
• DELIVERLY adv. freely, continuously ...1825 Sc.
• DELK † n. a hole, hollow, depression ...c1325 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• DELLFIN n. a low place, overgrown with underwood ...1790 Eng. dial.
• DELLIT n. 1. twilight, evening, dusk ...1819 Eng. dial.
n. 2. daylight, daybreak ...1895 Eng. dial.
• DELOG n. money ...Bk1903 back slang
• DELO-DIAM n. an old maid ...L19 Brit. & US back-slang
• DELO NAMMOW n. an old woman ...M19 back-slang
• DELORE adj. plentiful, abundant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• DELOUSY adj. unpleasant ...World War II Amer. sl.
• DELOVE vb. to love someone ...1959 Amer. dial.
• DELP! int. an exclamation used to express pity; God help! ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DELPH n. earthenware, crockery ...1790 Eng. dial.
• DELSEED n. a fir cone ...1810 Eng. dial.
• DELT vb. to treat with great care and attention; to caress, to fondle ...1890 Sc.
• DEL-TAKING † n. participation ...a1300
• DELTING adj. spoiling with kindness ...1804 Sc.
• DELTIT adj. spoiled with kindness ...B1900 Sc.
• DELUGE n. a heavy rain ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DELVE vb. to work hard, to slave, to drudge ...1888 Eng. dial.
• DEM n. a dam, a weir ...1876 Eng. dial.
† int. 1. an insulting expression used to a woman without any definite meaning ...1746 Eng. dial.
int. 2. damn! ...M18 Brit.
• DEMAND vb. to command a view, to overlook, to watch ...1885 Eng. dial.
• DEMANDS n. commands, commissions ...B1900 Ireland
• DEMBLE n. a plunge, as in liquid ...B1900 Sc.
vb. to dip or plunge in liquid; to splash ...B1900 Sc.
• DEMEANOUR n. eccentricity ...1880 Eng. dial.
• DEMELLIT adj. hurt, injured, disordered ...B1900 Sc.
• DEMELLITIE n. a hurt, injury of kind; the effects of a dispute or broil ...B1900 Sc.
• DEMESNES n. a woman's genital area, her 'domain' ...Shakespeare usage
• DEM-FOW adj. quite full ...B1900 Sc.
• DEMI-BEAU n. a would-be dandy ...Bk1904 sl.
• DEMIC n. an epidemic ...1897 Eng. dial.
• DEMICKY adj. suppurating; discharging pus ...1879 Eng. dial.
• DEMIMONDAINE n. a courtesan ...M19
• DEM IN vb. of clouds: to collect, to be obstructed ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DEMIREP n. a flighty woman; a woman of doubtful character ...E18
• DEMIS n. Demerol™ tablets or capsules ...M20 US drugs sl.
• DEMISE n. death, ...E18 euphemism
• DEMISSION † n. 1. ? order for release ...1554
n. 2. the act of putting away or letting go from oneself, giving up, or laying down, especially a dignity or office; resignation, relinquishment, abdication ...1577-87
* n. 3. abasement, lowering, degradation ...a1638
† n. 4. dejection, depression, lowering of spirits or vitality ...1656
† n. 5. a letting down ...a1664
† n. 6. a lowering, putting or bending down ...1708
† n. 7. relinquishment of life; death ...1735
* n. 8. a sending away, dismissal ...1811
• DEMISSIVE † adj. downcast, humble, submissive ...1630
• DEMME! int. damn! ...M18 Brit.
• DEMNITION BOW-WOWS n. hell ...M19 euphemism
• DEMO n. a demonstration ...1936 sl.
• DEMOCRAT HOUND n. an otherwise intelligent dog who takes up the wrong scent, as when a rabbit hound chases a fox ...1975 Amer. dial.
• DEMOISELLE n. 1. a young lady, a maid, a girl ...1520
n. 2. the Numidian Crane, Anthropoides virgo ...1687
n. 3. a dragonfly ...1844
n. 4. the damsel-fish
• DEMON n. 1. a police officer ...1889 Aust. sl.
n. 2. a detective ...1900 Aust. sl.
• DEMON RUM, THE n. alcohol or liquor, esp. rum ...E20 US sl.
• DEMONS n. police ...Bk1892 Aust. prison sl.
• DEMOTO n. someone who is unmotivated and not doing well in school ...20C teen & high school sl.
• DEMPS n. twilight, dusk ...1867 Eng. dial.
• DEMPSE n. twilight, dusk ...1867 Eng. dial.
• DEMPTION n. a great quantity ...1887 Sc.
• DEMRY n. a baked sweet potato ...1950 Amer. dial.
• DEMULCE † vb. to soothe, mollify, pacify, appease ...1530
• DEMULCEATE † vb. to soothe or mollify a person ...1837 nonce word
• DEMUR n. plight ...1790 Sc.
• DEMURMURATE † vb. to murmur, to mutter ...1641
• DEMY REP n. a flighty woman; a woman of doubtful character ...E18
• DEN n. 1. the female genitals ...Shakespeare usage Slang
n. 2. a small wooded valley; a dell, glen, a deep hollow between hills ...1785 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DENA n. a shilling (5p) ...M19 sl.
• DENAR n. a shilling (5p) ...M19 sl.
• DENATURE vb. to castrate an animal ...1968 Amer. dial.
• DENCH adj. dainty, fastidious, squeamish ...1828 Eng. dial.
• DENCHED adj.  squeamish as to food ...1684 Eng. dial.
• DENDROPHIL adj. tree-loving ...19C
n. a lover of trees ...1888
• DENE n. a din, noise; a sound ...1691 Eng. dial.
vb. to din, to make a noise ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DENER n. a shilling ...1839 chiefly Aust. & NZ usage
• DENG n. a hard blow ...Bk1900 Sc. & Eng. dial.
vb. to throw violently; to knock, to bang ...1887 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DENGLE vb. to swing, to vibrate, to quiver, to throb, to tingle; to shoot or quiver with pain ...B1900 Sc.
• DENIAL n. a disadvantage, detriment, hindrance; loss, injury; a disappointment ...1895 Eng. dial.
• DENK adj. neat, nice, finely dressed ...1721 Sc.
• DENSH adj. 1. dainty, fastidious, squeamish ...1828 Eng. dial.
adj. 2. excellent ...1860 Eng. dial.
• DENSH-GOBBED adj. of a dainty fastidious taste or appetite; affected in speaking ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DENSH-STOMACHED adj. of a dainty fastidious taste or appetite ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DENT n. 1. a 'stroke' or clap of thunder ...1866 Eng. dial.
n. 2. the time of greatest danger ...1866 Eng. dial.
• DENTAL BOX n. the mouth ...1966 Amer. dial.
• DENTALS n. 1. teeth ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 2. false teeth ...1966 Amer. dial.
• DENTICAL adj. dainty, fastidious ...1894 Eng. dial.
• DENTICE n. a delicacy, a rarity; a luxury ...1825 Sc.
• DENTLY adv. well, properly, suitably ...Bk1900 Eng, dial.
• DENTS n. teeth ...1950s Amer. sl.
• DENTY adj. 1. pleasant, agreeable; worthy, excellent; fine, handsome; plump and thriving, as regarding a child ...a1698 Sc.
adj. 2. large, fair-sized; of time: considerable ...1862 Sc.
• DENTY-BONNY adj. beautiful ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DENTY-CUM-PRETTY adj. handsome and conceited ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DENTY-CURIOUS adj. of superlative quality or manufacture ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DENTY-LION n. the dandelion, Leontodon Taraxacum ...1826 Sc.
• DENUMB YE! int. confound you! ...1852 Sc.
• DEN UP vb. to retire; to hibernate ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• DE-NUT vb. to castrate ...1950 Amer. dial.
• DEOSCULATE †* vb. to kiss eagerly or affectionately ...1623
• DEPAHTER n. departure ...1927 Amer. dial.
• DEPANTSING n. in a group of adolescent males: the removal of the trousers of one of their number, esp. in the presence of adolescent females ...20C US sl.
• DEPARCH vb. to depart ...1891 Amer. dial.
• DEPART vb. to die ...E16 sl.
• DEPART TO GOD vb. to die ...E16
• DEPONE vb. 1. to testify, to asseverate, to affirm; to give evidence as a witness ...1726 Sc.
vb. 2. to deposit ...1825 Sc.
• DEPONENT n. a witness ...1880 Sc.
• DEPOSIT n. an act of defecation; dung; faeces ...20C US sl.
vb. to ejaculate semen ...sl.
• DEPRAVED adj. weakly, ill ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DEPRESSION EGGS n. pullets' eggs, because of their smaller size ...1987 Amer. dial.
• DEPRESSION MEAT n. deer shot illegally ...1967 Amer. dial.
• DEPTH BOMB n. an egg ...Bk2004 Amer. World War I sl.
• DEQUANTITATE †* vb. to diminish the quantity or amount of; to lessen ...1646
• DERAY n. uproar, merriment, noise, disorder, chaos, disarray; a noisy party ...1727 Sc. & Eng. dial.
vb. to act madly or in a disorderly fashion ...arch.
• DERBIES n. ready money ...1796 sl.
• DERBY n. 1. money ...L17 UK criminals' sl.
n. 2. a haul of stolen goods ...M19 UK criminals' sl.
n. 3. a wealthy person who will usually pay the bill in a restaurant, bar, etc. ...1920s US sl.
n. 4. a group or pack of fox hounds ...1983 Amer. dial.
• DERBY DOG n. a young foxhound ...1933 Amer. dial.
• DERBY GYP n. a young foxhound bitch ...1933 Amer. dial.
• DERBY KEL n. the belly ...1970 Brit. rhyming sl.
• DERBY KELLY n. the belly ...1970 Brit. rhyming sl.
• DERBYSHIRE-NECK n. a swelling of the thyroid gland; goitre ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• DERCH † n. a dwarf ...c1500 Sc.
• DERDEL n. the extreme end of the spine of a hog ...B1900 Sc.
• DERE † adj. 1. brave, bold, strenuous, hardy ...a1000
adj. 2. hard, severe, heavy, grievous; dire, fell ...a1000 arch.
† adj. 3. hard, difficult ...a1225
n. harm; injury; trouble ...arch.
vb. 1. to pain, to grieve, to hurt, to injure or harm ...1684 Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to terrify, to paralyze with fear, to stupefy ...1790 Sc.
† vb. 3. to be afraid, to shake with fear; to crouch, to hide, to lie hid ...1808 Sc.
• DEREGLES n. loose habits, irregularities; deceptions, fraudulent informations ...B1900 Sc.
• DERELY adv. grievously, extremely ...1830 Eng. dial.
• DERF † adj. 1. bold, daring, courageous, brave, hardy ...c1200
† adj. 2. painful, grievous; terrible, dreadful, cruel ...a1225
† adj. 3. troublesome, hard, difficult ...a1225
† adj. 4. in a bad sense: bold, audacious, daringly wicked ...a1300
† adj. 5. strong, sturdy, stout, robust ...c1340
† adj. 6. vigorous, forcible, violent ...c1440
adj. 7. of things: hard, rough ...1804 Sc.
adj. 8. unbending in manner, sullen ...1808 Sc.
† adv. grievously, terribly ...c1325
† n. trouble, adversity, tribulation, hurt, suffering ...c1205
• DERFLY adv. boldly, fiercely, vigorously ...1809 Sc.
• DERG n. a thing of little value ...B1900 Sc.
• DERISION n. a practical joke; a hoax ...1822 Sc.
• DERISORIOUS † adj. characterized by derision, mocking, derisive ...1664
• DERL n. a broken piece of bread, cake, etc. ...1825 Sc.
• DERLS n. rags ...B1900 Sc.
• DERN adj. 1. damn; wretched, nasty; silly ...1780s
adj. 2. secret, obscure ...1814 Sc. & Eng. dial.
adj. 3. dark, dreary, dismal, lonely, solitary ...1824 Sc. & Eng. dial.
adj. 4. of weather: raw, cold ...1879 Eng. dial.
adj. 5. determined, earnest, eager; careful ...1881 Eng. dial.
adj. 6. hard, stern ...1887 Eng. dial.
n. darkness, secrecy ...1856 Sc.
vb. 1. to conceal, to hide ...1817 Sc.
vb. 2. to listen, to hearken ...1864 Sc.
vb. 3. to loiter at work ...B1900 Sc.
vb. 4. to muse, to think ...B1900 Sc.
int. damn!; an exclamation of disappointment, irritation, frustration, etc. ...1780s euphemism
• DERN BEHIND vb. to fall back ...B1900 Sc.
• DERNED adj. damned; wretched, nasty; silly ...1780s euphemism
• DERNFUL † adj. sorrowful, mournful, dreary, gloomy, depressing ...c1591
• DERN IT! int. an exclamation of disappointment, irritation, frustration, etc. ...1780s
• DERN MY BUTTONS! int. a mild oath ...1872 Amer. sl.
• DERN MY SKIN! int. damn! ...M19 US euphemism

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