Word: dash Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English daschen, dassen, from Danish daske (“to slap, strike”), related to Swedish daska (“to smack, slap, spank”), of obscure origin. Compare German tatschen (“to grope, paw”), Old English dwǣsċan (“to quell, put out, destroy, extinguish”). See also dush. Pronunciation: /ˈdæʃ/, [ˈdæʃ] 1. Any of the following symbols: ‒ (figure dash), – (en dash), — (em dash), or ― (horizontal bar). Labels: countable, uncountable 2. Any of the following symbols: ‒ (figure dash), – (en dash), — (em dash), or ― (horizontal bar). Labels: countable, uncountable 3. The longer of the two symbols of Morse code. Labels: broadly, countable, uncountable 4. A short run, flight. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: When the feds came they did the dash. 5. A rushing or violent onset. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The oar squeaks, a dash sound like moon-hustle on the river: 6. Violent strike; a whack. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: They say that I’m way too cold, I never get tired of rappin My word is bang where I come from Watch be one work is magic Do it and dash it Smile on MAT No way this peng one acting Who got whacked and who got slapped And who got spared by dashes 7. A small quantity of a liquid substance etc.; less than 1/8 of a teaspoon. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Add a dash of vinegar. 8. A slight admixture. Labels: broadly, countable, figuratively, uncountable Example: There is a dash of craziness in his personality. 9. Ostentatious vigor. Labels: uncountable Example: Aren't we full of dash this morning? 10. A bribe or gratuity; a gift. Labels: Nigeria, countable, uncountable Example: The traditional practice of offering gifts or "dash" to chiefs has often been misinterpreted by scholars to provide a cultural explanation for the pervasive incidence of bribery and corruption in modern Africa. Example: Writing in 1924 on a similar situation in Ugep, the political officer, Mr. S. T. Harvey noted: "In the old days there was no specified dowry but merely dashes given to the father-in-law, from 8 to 20 rods according to the status of the man[…]The dowry is made small because whatsoever a woman farms or reaps during her life time is by native custom the property of her parents." 11. A stand-in for a censored word, like "Devil" or "damn". (Compare deuce.) Labels: countable, dated, euphemistic, uncountable Example: Sir Thomas looks as if to ask what the dash is that to you! but wanting still to go to India again, and knowing how strong the Newcomes are in Leadenhall Street, he thinks it necessary to be civil to the young cub, and swallows his pride once more into his waistband. Comment: Some editions leave this passage out. Of those that include it, some change the 'you!' to 'you?'. Example: Who the dash is this person whom none of us know? and what the dash does he do here? 12. Ellipsis of dashboard. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable Example: The dash clock said 2:38 when[…] I turned off a dirt road[…]. 13. Ellipsis of dashboard. Labels: Internet, countable, informal, uncountable Example: -i hope you find at least one thing on your dash that will make you laugh today. Example: i cannot tell you how happy it makes me when i see my dash filled with selfies from other folks who look like me. 14. A prime symbol. Labels: India, UK, countable, uncountable