DEFINITIONS CONTINUED
NOUNS 3. a thief, especially one who frequents public-houses and picks quarrels with the wearers of rings and watches, in hopes of getting up a fight, and so enabling their 'pals' to steal the articles (slang) 4. one who improvises music, especially accompaniments on the pianoforte 5. a swindling horse-dealer; one that 'vamps' up or cobbles up a horse, that is, makes him appear sound by certain tricks and devices (slang) VERBS 1. to boast, to bluster, to swagger; to bully (Scottish and dialect) 2. to assume an ostentatious appearance, to pose (Scottish and dialect) 3. to beat down the price (dialect) (an old word used in the yearly bargainings of farm servants) CLICK HERE FOR KEY TO SOURCES ETYMOLOGY from vamp (vb.) EXAMPLE From: The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman By Laurence Sterne, Vol. II, 1792 Chap. XXXVII. P. 241
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
September 2021
|