noun,pluralgeese[gees] /gis/ for 1, 2, 4, 8; goos·esfor 5-7.
any of numerous wild or domesticated, web-footed swimming birds of the family Anatidae, especially of the genera Anser and Branta, most of which are larger and have a longer neck and legs than the ducks.
the female of this bird, as distinguished from the male, or gander.
the flesh of a goose, used as food.
a silly or foolish person; simpleton.
Slang. a poke between the buttocks to startle.
Informal. anything that energizes, strengthens, or the like: to give the economy a badly needed goose.
a tailor's smoothing iron with a curved handle.
an obsolete board game played with dice and counters in which a player whose cast falls in a square containing the picture of a goose is allowed to advance double the number of his or her throw.
verb (used with object),goosed,goos·ing.
Slang. to poke (a person) between the buttocks to startle.
Informal.
to prod or urge to action or an emotional reaction: The promise of time off may goose the workers and increase profits.
to strengthen or improve (often followed by up): Let's goose up the stew with some wine.
to increase; raise (often followed by up): to goose up government loans in weak industries.
to give a spurt of fuel to (a motor) to increase speed.
Idioms for goose
cook someone's goose, Informal. to ruin someone's hopes, plans, chances, etc.: His goose was cooked when they found the stolen gems in his pocket.
Origin of goose
First recorded before 1000; Middle English gose, goos, Old English gōs (plural gēs ); cognate with German Gans, Old Norse gās; compare Sanskrit haṅsa, Greek chḗn, Latin ānser
OTHER WORDS FROM goose
gooselike,adjective
Words nearby goose
goop, goopy, goorie, go or no-go, goosander, goose, goose barnacle, Goose Bay, gooseberry, gooseberry bush, gooseberry stone
I wandered around aimlessly for a while, then gave the goose to an acquiescent hippy on a barge.
The Life and Art of Radical Provocateur—and Commune Leader—Otto Muehl|Anthony Haden-Guest|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Thus continued a goose chase that produced, well, a goose egg.
Teaching a Lesson to Bullies and Educators Alike|Moral Courage|February 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Let me goose A&E as they duck for cover over their botched handling of the Phil Robertson mess.
A&E Ducks for Cover by Forgiving Phil Robertson|Michael Musto|December 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Outdoor explorer shows featuring real-life people in extreme climates tend to feature Canada Goose coats, he noted.
The Cult of Canada Goose|Keli Goff|December 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
According to reports from his salespeople, various Korean celebrities have been spotted in Canada Goose products in recent years.
The Cult of Canada Goose|Keli Goff|December 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"What's sauce fo' the goose ought to be sauce fo' the gander," argued the ex-moonshiner.
A Tar-Heel Baron|Mabell Shippie Clarke Pelton
What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander (Was also dem Einen recht ist, muss dem Andern billig sein).
The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume III (of 3)|Alexander Wheelock Thayer
He took her by the shoulders and turned her round and round before it as one roasts a goose.
The Web of the Golden Spider|Frederick Orin Bartlett
I kant tell now whether a goose stands on one leg so mutch to rest the leg az to rest the goose.
The Complete Works of Josh Billings|Henry W. Shaw
His discretion, I am sure, cannot carry his valour, for the goose carries not the fox.
History of English Humour, Vol. 1 (of 2)|Alfred Guy Kingan L'Estrange
British Dictionary definitions for goose (1 of 2)
goose1
/ (ɡuːs) /
nounpluralgeese (ɡiːs)
any of various web-footed long-necked birds of the family Anatidae: order Anseriformes. They are typically larger and less aquatic than ducks and are gregarious and migratorySee also brent goose, barnacle goose, greylag, snow goose Related adjective: anserine
the female of such a bird, as opposed to the male (gander)
informala silly person
pluralgoosesa pressing iron with a long curving handle, used esp by tailors
the flesh of the goose, used as food
all his geese are swanshe constantly exaggerates the importance of a person or thing
cook someone's gooseinformal
to spoil someone's plans
to bring about someone's ruin, downfall, etc
kill the goose that lays the golden eggsto sacrifice future benefits for the sake of momentary present needsSee also golden goose
Word Origin for goose
Old English gōs; related to Old Norse gās, Old High German gans, Old Irish gēiss swan, Greek khēn, Sanskrit hainsas
British Dictionary definitions for goose (2 of 2)
goose2
/ (ɡuːs) slang /
verb
(tr)to prod (a person) playfully in the behind
nounpluralgooses
a playful prod in the behind
Word Origin for goose
C19: from goose1, probably from a comparison with the jabbing of a goose's bill