Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 131 results in 131 entries
1. abracadabra, n. and int. View full entry 1565
...An instance or utterance of the magical word ‘abracadabra’, supposed to act as a charm against illness, evil, etc., or (in later use esp.) to assist in the performance of magic; a...
2. addio, int. (and n.) View full entry 1577
...Esp. in Italy or in Italian contexts: used as an expression of farewell. Also as : a parting salutation. Cf. ciao...
3. adios, n. and int. View full entry 1592
...Esp. in Spain or Spanish contexts: a parting salutation....
4. adsum, int. (and n.) View full entry 1594
...‘I am here’ (used to indicate the speaker is present). Hence as : this statement as an answer in a roll-call, etc....
5. aie, int. View full entry 1594
...A wailing exclamation of resignation, surprise, regret, alarm, etc.; sometimes imitative of non-British speakers of English. Cf. ai...
6. aloof, adv., int., adj., and prep. View full entry a1535
...Naut. To the windward side; towards the direction from which the wind blows; (in later use) esp. on a course close to the wind, usually so as to stay...
7. anan, int. View full entry a1556
...The quotations from Udall and Shakespeare show that this is the same word as anon orig. in response to a call = ‘In one moment; presently; coming!’; hence a waiter's...
8. aye | ay, int. (and adv.) and n. View full entry 1576
...As an affirmative response to a question: Yes; even so. Common dialectally, and in nautical language; the formal word used in voting ‘yes’ in the House of Commons; but not used for...
9. † backare | baccare, int. View full entry a1556
...Back! stand back! give place!...
10. † baile | bayle, int. View full entry a1529
...A call to combatants to engage....
11. behold, int. View full entry 1535
...The imperative of behold, used to call attention; = lo...
12. blurt, adv. and int. View full entry 1592
...Blurting, with a blurt....
13. bo | boh, int. View full entry ?1565
...An exclamation intended to surprise or frighten....
14. boohoo, int. and n. View full entry 1528
...A word imitative of the sound of noisy weeping or laughter; also an expression of contempt (Sc.)....
15. bounce, int. and adv. View full entry 1523
...Imitating the sound of a gun....
16. brave, adj., n., and int. View full entry 1568
...Of persons and their attributes: Courageous, daring, intrepid, stout-hearted (as a good quality)....
17. bum, n.2 and int. View full entry 1552
...A child's word for drink (cf. bum). Obs....
18. byrˈlady, int. View full entry 1570
...Contraction of by our Lady, used as an oath, form of adjuration, or expletive....
19. † byrˈlakin, int. View full entry a1529
...A contraction of by our Ladykin; cf. byrlady...
20. † coads, int. View full entry 1590
...An obsolete ejaculation of surprise....
