KILL-DEVIL ADJ. that would kill devils; deadly ...1831 NOUN 1. a recklessly daring fellow ...a1593 obs. 2. brandy or rum, or newly-made rum ...1647-50 obs. colloq. 3. a gun ...1699 UK sl. 4. an artificial bait used in angling, made to spin in the water like a wounded fish ...1833 5. strong alcohol, esp. whisky ...1867 US sl. 6. very strong tobacco ...1953 US sl. ETYMOLOGY from kill (vb.) + -devil FIRST DOCUMENTED USE a1593 - see EXAMPLE below EXAMPLE "...Let your Balio and your Belcher come here, and Ile knocke them, they were neuer so knockt since they were diuels, say I should kill one of them, what would folkes say? "Do ye see yonder tall fellow in the round slop,, hee has kild the diuell," so I should be cald kill diuell all the parish ouer..." From: The Tragicall History of D. Faustus - Christopher Marlowe
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