dousen.1
/daʊs/, U.S. /daʊs/, /daʊz/ A dull heavy blow, esp. one delivered by a weapon or the fist. Frequently in a douse in the chops and variants (see chop n.2 1b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific degree of force > [noun] > striking heavily > a heavy blow > and dull
thump1552
bump1582
dousea1600
dousta1627
dub1837
duff1866
a1600 ( W. Stewart tr. H. Boece Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) III. l. 46368 With sic ane dous togidder that tha draif, Quhill speiris brak.
a1627 J. Fletcher & T. Middleton Nice Valour v. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Xxxv/1 Sowse upon Souse. Douces single. Justle sides.
1665 R. Howard Surprisal iv. ii. 43 'Slid, if she had not left her tricks and denials I wou'd have hit her a dowse in the chops.
1765 H. Brooke Fool of Quality (Dublin ed.) I. v. 165 She..gave Susy such a Douse on the Side of the Head, as left her fast asleep for an Hour.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker I. 231 He gave the young man a dowse in the chops.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth III. v. 79 The porter..started up with his club, and dealt a sound douse or two on each side.
a1845 R. H. Barham Jerry Jarvis's Wig in Ingoldsby Legends (1847) 3rd Ser. 317 It descended on her..head in one tremendous ‘dowse’.
1886 Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago) 7 Nov. 13/3 The hurt is not in our loss of money, but in that more grevious [sic] injury, ‘a douse in the chops’ of honourable ambition.
1901 ‘Thormanby’ Romances of Road ii. 38 If thee calls me a leear I'll gi'e thee a dowse i' the chops!
2008 Dublin Rev. Spring 56 The shoulders that gave the other fellow a dowse he wouldn't forget in a hurry.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
dousen.2
/daʊs/, U.S. /daʊs/, /daʊz/ A (typically large) quantity of liquid, esp. one poured over someone or something. Also figurative and in figurative contexts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > [noun] > a quantity of > large
sea1598
junt1824
douse1835
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or fact of pouring or being poured > [noun] > that which has been poured over
perfusion1583
douse1835
1835 A. Cregeen Dict. Manks Lang. 24/1 Bashlagh, a dash or douse of water.
1894 Sat. Rev. 10 Mar. 245/2 If these discoveries have given them a douse of cold water we cannot help it, and are quite disposed to console them with any reasonable amount of praise.
1963 Victorian Poetry 1 244 His friend wakes him with a douse of water from a jug.
1990 Climatol. Data N.Y. (U.S. Dept. Commerce) 102 No. 5 The State did receive another douse of unwanted rain.
2011 Nation (Thailand) (Nexis) 15 June The Philippines needs a douse of shocking realism to wake it up from its stupor.
2015 Boston Banner 30 July 18 Thickened with a bit of flour, the mixture then got a healthy douse of milk, then simmered about 30 minutes.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
dousev.1
/daʊs/, U.S. /daʊs/, /daʊz/ 1. transitive. To strike, punch, or inflict a blow upon (a person). Now rare (chiefly English regional). to douse a person's jacket (also coat): to give a person a thrashing; cf. to dress a person's jacket at dress v. 12. Similarly to douse a person's chops and variants (cf. a douse in the chops at douse n.1).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > specific animate object
drepeOE
smitec1200
buffet?c1225
strike1377
rapa1400
seta1400
frontc1400
ballc1450
throw1488
to bear (a person) a blow1530
fetch1556
douse1559
knetcha1564
slat1577
to hit any one a blow1597
wherret1599
alapate1609
shock1614
baske1642
measure1652
plump1785
jow1802
nobble1841
scuff1841
clump1864
bust1873
plonk1874
to sock it to1877
dot1881
biff1888
dong1889
slosh1890
to soak it to1892
to cop (a person) one1898
poke1906
to hang one on1908
bop1931
clonk1949
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Henry VI. f. lxxxii To death with daggars doust.
1580 W. Hergest Right Rule Christian Chastitie sig. Bii As though Christians should suspect no daunger nor pretient any perill, till it dowst them in the neckes.
1665 R. Monsey Scarronides 28 We doust his chopps as he did rise.
1696 T. Dogget Country Wake iv. ii. 46 I'll dress thy Jacket; I'll dowse thy Somersetshire Coate for thee.
1724 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. (ed. 2) To Dowse,..to give one a Slap on the Chaps.
1793 J. O'Keeffe World in Village iii. 29 Fine doings! a young gentleman to be dous'd only for asking to keep a Miss!
1832 Satirist 29 Apr. 143/2 He First doused her old chops, And then His big fist he pops Again, With the devil's own blows, On the bridge of her nose.
1892 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words 246 ‘Aa'll doose yor jacket for ye’—I will thrash you soundly.
1979 Lore & Lang. Jan. 39 To fool a person, to give a quick blow, douse.
2. transitive. Nautical. To lower (a sail, flag, etc.), esp. in a rapid manner; to slacken (a rope); to close (a porthole).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > carry specific amount of sail [verb (transitive)] > strike or take in (sails)
strikea1300
main1517
hand1625
douse1626
to shake off1627
muzzle1883
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > carry specific amount of sail [verb (transitive)] > strike or take in (sails) > lower (sail)
amain1541
vail1553
understrike?1615
settlea1625
douse1626
lower1626
1626 J. Smith Accidence Young Sea-men 19 Dowse your top sayle, salute him.
1630 J. Smith True Trav. xx. 40 Very civilly they daused [printed dansed] their topsailes.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Transl. French Terms Mollir une corde, to slacken, douse, or ease off a taught rope.
a1771 S. Parkinson Jrnl. Voy. South Seas (1773) 102 After a short consultation they doused the sail.
1789 R. Cumberland Imposters i. 2 Chearly, my good fellow! dowse your foul-weather flag and hoist your holidays colours in honor of the occasion.
1802 in Naval Chron. 7 47 Douse the ports.
1828 P. Hawker Diary (1893) I. 344 Forced to douse all sail and ease the engine.
1860 Reasoner 29 July 247/1 The Veloce steam frigate came in, and delivered herself up, dousing the white flag, and running up the tricolor.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island xxvii. 220 The jibs I speedily doused and brought tumbling to the deck.
1941 Roll-call 24 Mar. Is it proposed that Great Britain shall adopt this flag, too, and douse the Union Jack?
1963 J. Rowland North to Adventure vi. 77 Easing close inshore, we smoothed the water, and..the mainsail was doused.
2002 N.Y. Times 27 May d2/4 It took Blue Yankee six to eight minutes to douse sail.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > expenditure > spend [verb (transitive)]
aspendc885
doOE
spendc1175
spenec1175
dispendc1330
bewarec1374
bestow1377
suckc1380
unpursea1393
warea1417
stowc1440
to lay outc1449
spone1456
expend1477
expend1484
impendc1486
ware?a1513
deburse?1529
disburse1530
defray1543
unburse1570
outlay1573
to lay forth1584
sweat1592
vent1612
dispursea1616
exhaust1616
to set forth1622
waste1639
depursea1648
fence1699
douse1759
shut1797
shift1923
1759 Life & Real Adventures Hamilton Murray I. ix. 104 I..doused my rix-dollar with an air that carried most remarkable conviction.
1797 G. Washington Let. in Writings (1892) XIII. 425 Asking opinions and requiring services..without dousing my money.
1815 H. H. Brackenridge Mod. Chivalry 175 Must every one douse down his Obole, Whether he peasant be, or noble.
4. transitive. To remove (an item of clothing). Now chiefly colloquial, regional, or historical.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > darkness or absence of light > make dark [verb (transitive)] > quench (light)
aquenchc1000
quenchOE
to do outa1425
extinct1483
to put outa1500
out-quencha1522
dout1526
pop1530
extinguish1551
to put forth1598
snuff1688
douse1753
douse1780
smoor1808
to turn out1844
outen1877
to turn off1892
to black out1913
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > undressing or removing clothing > undress or remove clothing [verb (transitive)] > take off clothing
to do offeOE
to lay downc1275
to weve offc1290
stripc1320
doffa1375
loose1382
ofdrawa1393
casta1400
to take offa1400
warpa1400
to cast offc1400
to catch offc1400
waivec1400
voidc1407
to put off?a1425
to wap offc1440
to lay from, offc1480
despoil1483
to pull offc1500
slip1535
devest1566
to shift off1567
daff1609
discuss1640
to lay off1699
strip1762
douse1780
shuffle1837
derobe1841
shed1858
skin1861
peel1888
pull1888
1780 [implied in: House of Commons 19 Nor to them do I e'er myself deny, Unless the dous'd Cockade tells to fight shy.].
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue (at cited word) Dowse your dog vane, take the cockade out of your hat.
1828 P. Hawker Diary (1893) I. 332 The latter have doused their butter-churn boots.
1841 W. M. Thackeray Memorials Gormandising in Fraser's Mag. June 724/2 I..douced my cap on entering the porch.
1855 Spirit of Times 28 Apr. 122 I commenced the approach—kicking off shoes and dousing hat.
1928 A. E. Pease Dict. Dial. N. Riding Yorks. 34/2 ‘Sha's dous'd ov her feathers’—i.e., her finery is struck off.
2000 C. McCullough Morgan's Run 205 ‘Dowse yer toges—take 'em off!’ snapped Mr. Hanks. Off came greatcoats and suit coats.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)]
aswikec975
linOE
beleavec1175
forletc1175
i-swikec1175
restc1175
stutte?c1225
lina1300
blinc1314
to give overc1325
to do wayc1350
stintc1366
finisha1375
leavea1375
yleavec1380
to leave offa1382
refuse1389
ceasec1410
resigna1413
respite?a1439
relinquish1454
surcease1464
discontinue1474
unfill1486
supersede1499
desist1509
to have ado?1515
stop1525
to lay aside1530
stay1538
quata1614
to lay away1628
sist1635
quita1642
to throw up1645
to lay by1709
to come off1715
unbuckle1736
peter1753
to knock off1767
stash1794
estop1796
stow1806
cheese1811
to chuck itc1879
douse1887
nark1889
to stop off1891
stay1894
sling1902
can1906
to lay off1908
to pack in1934
to pack up1934
to turn in1938
to break down1941
to tie a can to (or on)1942
to jack in1948
to wrap it up1949
1887 H. Caine Deemster III. xxxiii. 65 ‘Dowse that, Billy, and bear a hand and be quiet.’
1915 R. Griffin Dead Rabbit Riot 43 Douse That crying, Clytie, and come in the house.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
dousev.2
/daʊs/, U.S. /daʊs/, /daʊz/ 1. transitive. To plunge (a person or thing) vigorously in water or other liquid; to immerse thoroughly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > dip or plunge into liquid > deeply or with force
divec900
ayetOE
souse1470
douse1566
implunge1590
overplunge1595
sourcec1616
plounce1631
1566 T. Nuce in tr. Octavia sig. B.iv Hereto, put to that gorgeous stately mouse... His parent deare in bubbling boate did douse.
1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 488/1 The Maryners should be dowsed ouer heade and eares in the sea for .iij. mornings togither.
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus i. 16 And dowse himselfe ouer head and eares in impietie.
1649 H. Hammond Christians Obligations vii. 179 I have wash'd my feet in mire or inke, douz'd my carnall affections in all the vilenesse in the world.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ i. iv. §11 To have heard the great noise the Sun used to make..when he doused his head in the Ocean.
a1702 W. Bagshaw Ess. on Union to Christ (1703) 107 Is there danger of drowning (tho' a Person be doused) whilst the Head holds above water.
1788 P. Pindar Apol. Postscript 30 His head and ears most handsomely they dous'd.
1825 Republican 9 Dec. 724 Souse them and douse them! in the powdering tub of thy affliction that they may come forth tripe fit for thy table, O Lord!
1868 Putnam's Mag. Sept. 288/1 In my dreams I saw Julian in a hand-to-hand conflict with poor old Mrs. Schermerhorn, now attacking her cap, now her eyes—and again dousing her in a bath-tub!
1924 Country Life 26 July 132/2 His leaping-pole broke under his weight and doused him in an open dyke.
1972 Harper's Mag. Aug. 91/1 The third man fainted and they dragged him down to the lake and doused his head in water until he came to.
2012 Prospect (Nexis) 26 Jan. ‘Milk no sugar, I'm assuming?’ he says to me, dousing a teabag in scalding water.
2. intransitive. To plunge into water or other liquid; to splash, bathe, or shower.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > move downwards [verb (intransitive)] > plunge > plunge in or under water or mud
launch13..
sousec1400
douse1603
plounce1654
delve1697
immerge1706
immerse1739
inswamp1775
plout1814
blob1875
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 344 They joy and strive to be doussing, badling, and diving together with them.
1664 S. Butler Hudibras: Second Pt. ii. i. 37 It is no jesting, trivial matter, To swing in th' Air, or douce in water.
1778 L. Duportail Let. 13 Sept. in G. Washington Papers (2006) Revolutionary War Ser. XVI. 597 The Chain in that place would douse a few feet more.
1872 R. Browning Fifine lxv. 74 Sowse Underneath ducks the soul, her truthward yearnings dowse Deeper in falsehood!
1918 ‘F. Stevens’ in All-story Weekly 7 Sept. 218/2 Down I come in the hollow of a monstrous big wave, and as my ears doused under I thought I heard a splash close by.
1997 M. D. O'Brien Strangers & Sojourners xvii. 288 Thirty little naked Indian girls doused under the nozzles in the cement shower room.
3. transitive. To pour or splash liquid over (a person or thing). Frequently with in, with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > condition of being or making very wet > make very wet [verb (transitive)]
drenchc1000
washc1275
drowna1300
drunkena1300
drunka1382
bewetc1400
bedrenchc1450
bucka1513
sowp1513
drooka1522
sousea1542
soaken1577
overdrown1579
soss1587
embay1590
steep1590
overdrencha1592
embathe1593
indrench1593
imbue1594
douse1606
besob1609
bucket1621
sob1625
dash1670
sop1682
saturate1696
float1729
water1754
sodden1812
douche1864
poach1881
tosh1883
sod1895
1606 P. Holland tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars 75 Hee..used to sweate before a light fire: and then upon it to be dowssed [L. perfundebatur] in water luke warme.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 420 A Stately place..which Tamis with wandring streame doth dowsse.
1733 Kerry Cavalcade (single sheet) The Rain it was heavy, the Tempest blew so well, It sous'd 'em and dous'd 'em as far as Listowel.
1792 ‘P. Pindar’ More Money! 56 Well dous'd by rushing rains.
1856 Househ. Words 20 Dec. 550/1 The Baba Tatiana, his wife, douses him with pails of hot-water, till he is half-drowned.
1879 L. G. Seguin Black Forest x. 164 Melusina's haunt was thoroughly doused with holy water.
1926 Salt Lake Tribune 24 Sept. 25/1 Of course there are plenty of folk who douse themselves with strong scent.
1962 H. T. Strother Underground Railroad in Connecticut xi. 157 The mob obtained buckets and began dousing the members with water.
2016 Daily Tel. 26 Aug. 17/2 His grandmammy punished her husband for adultery by dousing him in petrol while he slept and dropping a lit match on him.
Derivatives
doused adj. soaked, drenched.
ΚΠ
1905 Leslie's Monthly Mag. July 242/2 He saw the Barbary lion running among the cages like a doused cat.
1975 B. Bainbridge Sweet William iv. 131 Ann's fur was ruined. Ruined. ‘You careless girl,’ she cried, touching over and over the matted shoulders, the doused collar.
2003 ‘K. Bridges’ Surgeon v. 62 Logan, the veterinarian, was ready with his doused rag of chloroform.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
dousev.3
/daʊs/, U.S. /daʊs/, /daʊz/ 1. transitive. To put out or switch off (a light); to extinguish (a candle, a cigarette, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > darkness or absence of light > make dark [verb (transitive)] > quench (light)
aquenchc1000
quenchOE
to do outa1425
extinct1483
to put outa1500
out-quencha1522
dout1526
pop1530
extinguish1551
to put forth1598
snuff1688
douse1753
douse1780
smoor1808
to turn out1844
outen1877
to turn off1892
to black out1913
1753 Discoveries J. Poulter (ed. 2) 40 Douss the Glims; put out the Candles.
1824 W. Irving Tales of Traveller II. 344 ‘Dowse the light !’ roared the hoarse voice from the water.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. xxxiii. 294 At nine the deck-lantern was doused.
1897 Boston Daily Globe 4 Oct. 12/2 Broncho, douse that cigarette!
1930 A. Ransome Swallows & Amazons xxi. 217 ‘Dowse your glim, Mister Mate,’ said Captain John. ‘They could see the light now if anyone were looking from those windows.’
1955 A. Fray And kill once More xiv. 144 I cut the speed and doused the headlights.
2015 Kerryman (Nexis) 26 Aug. (Features section) 85 I doused both my lamp and my head torch and let my eyes adjust to the gloom.
2. transitive. To extinguish (a fire).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > extinguishing fire > extinguish (fire) [verb (transitive)]
aquenchc1000
quenchc1175
sleckc1175
slockena1300
bleschea1325
sleckena1340
sleaka1400
asteyntea1450
stancha1450
mesec1480
slockc1480
extinct1483
redd1487
to put outa1500
out-quencha1522
squench1535
extinguish1551
out1629
smoor1721
douse1842
1842 Leicester Chron. 15 Jan. Defendant went and doused Lee's fire with a can of water.
1884 C. E. Baxter Talofa i. 18 Buckets of water, with which we soon doused the conflagration.
1930 Illustr. London News 22 Mar. 496/2 The ‘squirter’ is at hand to dowse the incipient blaze in a few seconds.
1967 E. F. Dolan Disaster 1906 ii. 39 Fire broke out in one section of Oakland, but it was quickly doused.
2016 Evening Standard (Nexis) 9 Feb. 1 Officers from the palace, who were first on the scene, made frantic efforts to douse the flames with a fire extinguisher.
3. transitive. figurative and in figurative contexts. To bring an end to (a feeling or behaviour); to quell.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > crush, stifle, or overwhelm (feelings, etc.)
shendOE
whelvec1000
allayOE
ofdrunkenc1175
quenchc1175
quashc1275
stanchc1315
quella1325
slockena1340
drenchc1374
vanquishc1380
stuffa1387
daunt?a1400
adauntc1400
to put downa1425
overwhelmc1425
overwhelvec1450
quatc1450
slockc1485
suppressa1500
suffocate1526
quealc1530
to trample under foot1530
repress1532
quail1533
suppress1537
infringe1543
revocate1547
whelm1553
queasom1561
knetcha1564
squench1577
restinguish1579
to keep down1581
trample1583
repel1592
accable1602
crush1610
to wrestle down?1611
chokea1616
stranglea1616
stifle1621
smother1632
overpower1646
resuppress1654
strangulate1665
instranglea1670
to choke back, down, in, out1690
to nip or crush in the bud1746
spiflicate1749
squasha1777
to get under1799
burke1835
to stamp out1851
to trample down1853
quelch1864
to sit upon ——1864
squelch1864
smash1865
garrotte1878
scotch1888
douse1916
to drive under1920
stomp1936
stultify1958
1916 P. Mackaye Caliban by Yellow Sands iii. 126 Merry wives, to douse the lustful fire Of old John Falstaff.
1965 Economist 27 Nov. 937/1 He mounted the platform and with a few cool and cagey phrases gently doused their enthusiasm.
2016 M. Garnett & P. Lynch Exploring Brit. Politics (ed. 4) xx. 610 He had indicated that he would stand down as Prime Minister before the next election, presumably in an attempt to douse speculation.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1a1600n.21835
v.11559v.21566v.31753- nielsbohrium
- nielsbohriums
- nielsen
- nielsen rating
- niemann–pick
- nien hao
- niente
- niersteiner
- nietzschean
- nietzscheanism
- nietzscheanite
- nietzscheism
- nigger rich
- nigger show
- nigger song
- nigger stick
- nigger toe
- nigger trader
- nigger-breaker
- nigger-brown
- nigger-dead
- nigger-dealer
- nigger-driver
- nigger-driving
- nigger-faced