glibn.1
/ɡlɪb/, U.S. /ɡlɪb/, Irish English /ɡlɪb/ Historical. attributive.1861 W. R. Wilde Catal. Antiq. Royal Irish Acad. 325 The glibb-fashion of wearing the hair.
a. A thick mass of matted hair on the forehead and over the eyes, formerly worn by the Irish.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > styles of hair > [noun] > lock of hair worn in a specific style
sidelock1530
glib1537
cow-lick1598
soap-lock1840
Newgate knocker1851
quiff1890
comb-over1980
spike1981
1537 Act 28 Hen. VIII, c. 15 Stat. Irel. (1678) 92 No person..shall..use the wearing of haire upon their heads, like unto long lockes, called glibbes.
1570 Perrott in O'Flanagan Munster Circuit (1880) 3 I have caused all the Irishry in this province to forego their glybbes.
1577 R. Stanyhurst Treat. Descr. Irelande viii. f. 28/2, in R. Holinshed Chron. I For default of other stuffe, they paune theyr glibs, the nailes of their fingers and toes.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 123 The lappets of their eares hidden under the curled glibbes and lockes of haire lying all over them.
1808 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) II. 304 My hair has escaped cutting..and..shall be reserved for a glib till the spring.
1842 S. C. Hall & A. M. Hall Ireland II. 384 A sort of covering, resembling a monk's cowl, or the glibbe of the ancient Irish.
b. A man who wears a glib.
ΚΠ
1618 T. Gainsford Glory Eng. i. xvii. 151 In Terconnell the haire of their head growes so long and curled, that they goe bare-headed, and are called Glibs, the women Glibbins.
Derivatives
glibbed adj. wearing a glib.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > people with styles of hair > [adjective] > with a fringe
glibbed1581
banged1880
1581 J. Derricke Image Irelande i. sig. D1v With glibbed heddes like Mars hym self.
1812 J. Nott in T. Dekker Guls Horne-bk. (new ed.) 88 (note) These wood-karne went with glibbed heads, or wearing long bushy hair hanging over their eyes.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† glibn.2
slang. Obsolete.
A ribbon.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > ornamental textiles > ornamental trimmings > [noun] > ribbon
riband?c1325
ruban1474
ribbon1518
lemnisca1706
glib1753
1753 Discov. of J. Poulter 39 A Lobb full of Glibbs; a Box full of Ribbons.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
glibadj.adv.
/ɡlɪb/, U.S. /ɡlɪb/ A. adj.figurative and in extended use.a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) i. i. 54 All Mindes, As well of glib and slipp'ry Creatures, as Of Graue and austere qualitie, tender downe Their seruices to Lord Timon. View more context for this quotation1678 A. Marvell Acct. Growth Popery (new ed.) 27 That this House might appear still necessary to the People, and to make the money more glib.
1. Smooth and slippery in surface or consistency; moving easily; offering no resistance to motion. Of movement: Easy, unimpeded. Now rare exc. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > [adjective] > smooth and slippery
slippera1050
slibbery?c1225
slidderya1250
slidder1398
lubric1490
slid1513
slippery1551
icy?1552
slipperous1585
glib1594
gliding1594
slicked1594
glibbery1601
lubrical1602
slape1671
slithery1825
slithy1855
butter-smooth1868
slick1901
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adjective] > not hindering or encumbering > not hindered or encumbered > operating or progressing easily
current1577
expedite1578
glib1594
facile1607
well-oiled1614
well-going1623
undisobliging1715
sweet1725
swimming1768
1594 H. Plat Jewell House 12 White and glib worms, which the anglers call Gentils.
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique v. ii. 664 Arable groundes..bring forth..more in one place then in another, according as the ground shall be moist and glib [etc.].
1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 144 His superficies or face is like the Liuer smooth and glib.
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ii. 13 A white mixture of Tallow, Sope and Brimstone..is the best to..make her glib or slippery to passe the water.
a1680 J. Glanvill Saducismus Triumphatus (1681) i. 176 This easiness of the sliding of Bodies perfectly smooth and glib.
1683 A. Snape Anat. Horse i. x. 20 Covered with a slimy or snotty substance, for the more free and glib passage of the Dung.
1721 W. Gibson Farriers Dispensatory iii. vii. 193 A small Quantity of Oil and Flour..would..render them more glib to swallow.
1772 J. W. Fletcher Logica Genevensis vii. 108 Why should those who can swallow five or six camels as a glib morsel, strain at three or four gnats.
1789 D. Davidson Thoughts Seasons 161 Wi' channel-stanes, baith glib an' strong, His army did advance.
1796 E. Miller Diary in C. A. Markham Hist. Buildings of Northamptonsh. (1885) 20 The Alleys in the Gaol yard were as glib as Glass.
1818 L. Hunt Nymphs i. 256 With..coral, and the glib sea flowers, They furnish their faint bowers.
1827 J. Clare Shepherd's Cal. 3 Seeking bright glib ice, to play And slide the wintry hours away.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. (1856) xxxiv. 310 A fine bare surface of fresh ice, extremely glib and durable.
1879 R. Browning Ivan Ivanovitch in Idyls I. 101 The snow lies glib as glass and hard as steel.
1888 S. O. Addy Gloss. Words Sheffield Glib, soft, smooth.
2. Of an action, method, procedure: Easy, meeting no obstruction; off-hand.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adjective] > doing effortlessly > done easily
suant1547
glib1598
1598 J. Marston Certaine Satyres in Metamorph. Pigmalions Image 71 He's a God that can doe villany With a good grace, and glib facility.
1644 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce (ed. 2) To Parl. sig. A2 Her method is so glib and easie.
1668 H. More Divine Dialogues (1713) iv. xii. 313 How glib, how easie and how natural would it have been upon this Hypothesis?
1852 ‘I. Marvel’ Dream Life 124 The glib, easy way of one student, and his perfect sang-froid completely charm you.
3. † b. Of words: Easy to pronounce. Also of a statement: Easily ‘swallowed’, plausible. Obsolete.
a. Of a speaker or writer, of the tongue, etc.: ‘Well-oiled’, ready and fluent in utterance. Of language: Characterized by fluency and readiness. Chiefly in contemptuous use, implying lack of thought or of sincerity.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > loquacity or talkativeness > [adjective]
wordyeOE
talewisec1200
i-worded?c1225
babblinga1250
cacklinga1250
chatteringa1250
speakfula1250
word-wooda1250
of many wordsc1350
janglingc1374
tatteringc1380
tongueya1382
ganglinga1398
readya1400
jargaunt1412
talkative1432
open-moutheda1470
clattering1477
trattling?a1513
windy1513
popping1528
smatteringa1529
rattle?1529
communicablea1533
blab1552
gaggling1553
long-tongued?1553
prittle-prattle1556
pattering1558
talking1560
bobling1566
gabbling1566
verbal1572
piet1573
twattling1573
flibber gibber1575
babblative1576
tickle-tongued1577
tattling1581
buzzing1587
long-winded1589
multiloquous1591
discoursive1599
rattling1600
glib1602
flippant1605
talkful1605
nimble-tongued1608
tongue-ripe1610
fliperous1611
garrulous?1611
futile1612
overspeaking1612
feather-tongueda1618
tongue-free1617
long-breatheda1628
well-breathed1635
multiloquious1640
untongue-tied1640
unretentive1650
communicative1651
linguacious1651
glibbed1654
largiloquent1656
multiloquent1656
parlagea1657
loose-clacked1661
nimble-chop1662
twit-twat1665
over-talkativea1667
loquacious1667
loudmouth1668
conversable1673
gash1681
narrative1681
chappy1693
apposite1701
conversative1703
gabbit1710
lubricous1715
gabby?1719
ventose1721
taleful1726
chatty?1741
blethering1759
renable1781
fetch-fire1784
conversational1799
conversant1803
gashing1808
long-lunged1815
talky1815
multi-loquacious1819
prolegomenous1822
talky-talky1831
nimble-mouthed1836
slipper1842
speechful1842
gassy1843
in great force1849
yattering1859
babbly1860
irreticent1864
chattable1867
lubrical1867
chattery1869
loose-mouthed1872
chinny1883
tongue-wagging1885
yappy1909
big-mouthed1914
loose-lipped1919
ear-bashing1945
ear-bending1946
yackety-yacking1953
nattering1959
yacking1959
woofy1960
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge i. ii. sig. B Is glib rumor growne a parasite?
1605 N. Breton Olde Mans Lesson sig. E4v Take heede of a Leering Eye and a Glibbe tongue.
1606 T. Dekker Seuen Deadly Sinnes London i. sig. B1v A hye sound & glib deliuery.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear i. 216 I want that glib and oyly Art, To speake and purpose not. View more context for this quotation
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. vi. 59 These encounterers so glib of tongue. View more context for this quotation
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre v. xix. 261 Their glib pennes making no more reckoning of men then of pinnes.
1669 W. Simpson Hydrologia Chymica 234 Familiarity..begets a current glib language.
1707–8 G. Berkeley Philos. Comm. (1989) 63 Glib, coherent, methodical Discourses, wch nevertheless amount to just nothing.
1792 D. Lloyd Voy. Life 79 Prompt Deception glib with flatt'ring lies!
1820 S. T. Coleridge Lett., Conversat., & Recoll. I. 137 A contemptible democratical oligarchy of glib economists.
1827 Countess Granville Let. Oct. (1894) I. 435 The..husband talks very good glib French and is intelligent.
1848 E. Bulwer-Lytton Harold I. i. i. 24 Thou art too glib of tongue for a subject.
1884 G. Allen Philistia II. 87 The ordinary glib commonplaces of obituary notices.
1892 R. L. Stevenson Across Plains ix. 255 His glib, random criticism took a wider range.
1893 H. Vizetelly Glances Back II. xxix. 152 [He] was..a glib and ready speaker.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > [adjective] > of words, statements
queemc1175
gayc1425
plausible1565
glib1603
plausivea1616
specious1651
1603 H. Crosse Vertues Common-wealth sig. O2 Ô how they will diue into the bottome of their braine! for fluant termes..to varnish theyr lyes and fables to make them glib.
1608 T. Middleton Mad World, my Masters v. sig. H The Slip? By my troth a pretty name, and a glib one.
B. adv.
1. Smoothly; easily. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adverb] > without hindrance or encumberment
freelyeOE
wellOE
freec1250
glidderly13..
without (also but) lettingc1330
oliver current1466
smootha1500
pronewise1585
currently1586
glib1594
glibly1607
clearly1612
swimminglya1640
smoothly1668
uninterrupted1677
unobstructedly1788
smack-smooth1802
sweetly1825
sweet1846
unimpededly1846
hitchlessly1910
1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. B2v After I had moistned my lips, to make my lie runne glib.
1600 N. Breton Pasquils Fooles-cap (rev. ed.) sig. B2 An idle Mate, Whose tongue goes all too glibbe vpon the seare.
1627 M. Drayton Elegies in Battaile Agincourt 189 Let your numbers run Glib as the former, so shall it liue long.
1696 W. Mountague Delights Holland 223 Having a little Tub of Water upon the Sledge, which they often spill on the Ground, to make it go the glibber.
1712 J. Arbuthnot App. to John Bull Still in Senses iii. 16 A Noose that slip'd as glib as a Bird-catcher's Gin.
a1734 R. North Examen (1740) i. iii. §39 145 The Bill did not pass glib.
1775 J. W. Fletcher Zelotes & Honestus Reconciled (ed. 2) ii. xx. 259 To make it go down glib with all the rigid bound-willers in christendom.
1830 W. Scott Doom of Devorgoil iii. i. 145 Father's razor slips as glib As from courtly tongue a fib.
1867 J. M. Sewall Laughing in Bk. Humor. Poet. 103 It makes the wheels of nature glibber play.
2. Volubly; fluently.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > loquacity or talkativeness > [adverb]
roundly1546
babblingly1561
babblishly1574
talkatively1589
full-moutha1605
fluently1613
volubly?1615
gliba1623
glibly1669
gash1721
gashlya1774
rattlingly1824
loquaciously1854
garrulously1859
chatteringly1864
communicatively1868
chattily1892
talkingly1895
gushily1921
yappingly1924
a1623 W. Pemble Introd. Worthy Receiving Sacrament (1628) 62 If the tongue goe glibbe.
1683 J. Dryden & N. Lee Duke of Guise iv. iii. 46 Love has oyl'd your tongue to run so glib.
a1777 S. Foote Trip to Calais (1778) i. 20 Mere infants..sputter French, more freer and glibber than your daughter.
1814 E. S. Barrett Heroine (ed. 2) III. xxxi. 34 You talked so glib of your great estates.
1887 W. Besant World went very well Then I. i. 19 The words drop out glib, and seem to mean nothing.
Compounds
C1.
a. Combinations with the adj.
glib-tongued adj.
ΚΠ
1605 C. Tourneur Laugh & lie Downe sig. Diij The next was a nimble witted, and glib-toung'd fellow.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. iii. ii. 154 Fauchet approves himself a glib-tongued, strong-lunged, whole-hearted human individual.
1895 Educat. Rev. 223 I have not said that a liberal education includes of necessity the prolonged scholastic study of many languages, much less the glib-tongued use of many languages.
b. † glib-board n. Obsolete (see quot. 1894).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > shoe or boot > boards fastened to foot > [noun]
glib-board1682
mud-patten1791
mud board1824
backstay1830
splasher1859
backster1867
mud-splasher1880
1682 J. Collins Salt & Fishery 29 Men walking on them [Brine Pans] with Boards tyed to their Feet called Glib-Boards.
1894 Harris Techn. Fire Insur. Comment. Glib boards, in salt-works, the boards tied to the men's feet to enable them to walk in the salt-pans.
glib-gabbet adj. Scottish Obsolete voluble, loquacious.
ΚΠ
1786 R. Burns Poems 33 That glib-gabbet Highland Baron, The Laird o' Graham.
C2. Combinations with the adv.
glib-gliding adj.
ΚΠ
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. vii. 234 How th' Aires glib-gliding, firme-lesse body beares Such store of Fowles, Haile-stormes, & Floods of teares.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
glibv.1
/ɡlɪb/, U.S. /ɡlɪb/ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > make smooth [verb (transitive)] > make smooth and slippery
sliddera1398
glib1598
1598 J. Marston Scourge of Villanie i. iv. sig. D4 Retayling others wit, long barrelled To glib some great mans eares, till panch be fed.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge ii. ii. sig. D The clapper of my mouth's not glibd With court oyle.
1678 Lively Orac. 223 Each commission [of villany] smoothing and glibbing the way to the next.
2. To render glib or fluent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > loquacity or talkativeness > utter in a chattering manner [verb (transitive)] > render loquacious
gliba1656
a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) ii. 20 There is a drunken liberty of the Tongue, which being once glibbed with intoxicating liquor runs wilde.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 375 I undertook that office, and the tongues Of all his flattering Prophets glibb'd with lyes. View more context for this quotation
1683–4 Whole Duty of Man xiii. §17. 101 Men have so glibbed their tongues to lying, that they do it familiarly upon any or no occasion.
1863 J. P. Robson Songs Bards of Tyne 310 They glibb'd their jaws at Lunnin.
1890 Daily News 15 Oct. 5/4 Those false prophets whom Mr. Bright once denounced, the prophets whose mouths were glibbed with lies.
3. intransitive. To talk volubly. Obsolete exc. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > loquacity or talkativeness > be talkative [verb (intransitive)]
to multiply words1340
gagglea1556
glib1596
to run on?c1663
gasha1774
to roll on1861
pan1871
rabbit and pork1949
motormouth1983
1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) xi. lxvi. 281 Least perhaps he should haue glib'd.
1890 J. D. Robertson Gloss. Words County of Gloucester Glib, to talk rapidly or glibly. ‘He glibbed it over, I'll be bound.’
ΚΠ
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Guizzare..to slide, or glide, or slip, glibe away sodainely as an eele doth out of ones hand.
Derivatives
glibbed adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > loquacity or talkativeness > [adjective]
wordyeOE
talewisec1200
i-worded?c1225
babblinga1250
cacklinga1250
chatteringa1250
speakfula1250
word-wooda1250
of many wordsc1350
janglingc1374
tatteringc1380
tongueya1382
ganglinga1398
readya1400
jargaunt1412
talkative1432
open-moutheda1470
clattering1477
trattling?a1513
windy1513
popping1528
smatteringa1529
rattle?1529
communicablea1533
blab1552
gaggling1553
long-tongued?1553
prittle-prattle1556
pattering1558
talking1560
bobling1566
gabbling1566
verbal1572
piet1573
twattling1573
flibber gibber1575
babblative1576
tickle-tongued1577
tattling1581
buzzing1587
long-winded1589
multiloquous1591
discoursive1599
rattling1600
glib1602
flippant1605
talkful1605
nimble-tongued1608
tongue-ripe1610
fliperous1611
garrulous?1611
futile1612
overspeaking1612
feather-tongueda1618
tongue-free1617
long-breatheda1628
well-breathed1635
multiloquious1640
untongue-tied1640
unretentive1650
communicative1651
linguacious1651
glibbed1654
largiloquent1656
multiloquent1656
parlagea1657
loose-clacked1661
nimble-chop1662
twit-twat1665
over-talkativea1667
loquacious1667
loudmouth1668
conversable1673
gash1681
narrative1681
chappy1693
apposite1701
conversative1703
gabbit1710
lubricous1715
gabby?1719
ventose1721
taleful1726
chatty?1741
blethering1759
renable1781
fetch-fire1784
conversational1799
conversant1803
gashing1808
long-lunged1815
talky1815
multi-loquacious1819
prolegomenous1822
talky-talky1831
nimble-mouthed1836
slipper1842
speechful1842
gassy1843
in great force1849
yattering1859
babbly1860
irreticent1864
chattable1867
lubrical1867
chattery1869
loose-mouthed1872
chinny1883
tongue-wagging1885
yappy1909
big-mouthed1914
loose-lipped1919
ear-bashing1945
ear-bending1946
yackety-yacking1953
nattering1959
yacking1959
woofy1960
1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot iv. ix. 234 Their moistned braines gave leave for their glibb'd tongues to chat liberally.
1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel II. 22 Smooth as glass the glibbed pool is froze.
ˈglibbing n.
ΚΠ
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Guizzo, a sliding, a gliding, a slipping, a glibbing away sodainely.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† glibv.2
Obsolete. rare.
transitive. To castrate; to geld.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > infertility > infertile [verb (transitive)] > castrate or spay > castrate
geldc1225
lib1396
cut1465
castrate1609
delumbate1609
enervate1610
unstone1611
gliba1616
evirate1621
emasculate1623
capon1630
eunuchize1634
eunuchate1646
caponize1654
unpollux1654
eunucha1658
unman1657
dismember1697
saturnized1846
nut1916
knacker1936
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) ii. i. 151 I had rather glib my selfe, then they Should not produce faire issue. View more context for this quotation
1640 J. Shirley St. Patrick v. sig. H2v If I come back, let me be glib'd.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
<
n.11537
n.21753
adj.adv.1594v.11596v.2a1616