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| dash [ dash ] |
noun (plural dashes) |
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| Definition: |
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1. rushing movement: a quick purposeful movement by a person or a group of people in a particular direction
  There was a dash for the exit as soon as the alarm was raised.
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2. small quantity added: a small quantity of something added to something else, e.g. to improve the flavour of food or drink or to enliven speech or writing
A dash of common sense would make the arguments a lot more convincing.
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3. vigour and verve: a combination of vigour, daring, and style in the way somebody acts
She carried it off with a certain amount of dash.
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4. quick stroke: a quick and often violent movement, blow, or stroke
with a dash of her arm
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5. athletics race: a short-distance running race
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6. grammar punctuation mark: a short horizontal line (-) used as a punctuation mark, often in place of a comma or colon, or as a sign that a letter or word has been omitted
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7. communication Morse symbol: a short horizontal line representing a long sound or flash of light in written transcriptions of Morse code
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8. automotive dashboard: the instrument panel of a car
(
informal
)
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verb (3rd person present singular dashes, present participle dashing, past and past participle dashed) |
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| Definition: |
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1. intransitive verb hurry off: to run, move, or travel fast or hastily
He dashed off to catch his plane.
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2. transitive verb knock or throw something violently: to knock or throw something with a sudden violent sweep or blow
(
formal
)
She dashed the papers down on the desk in anger.
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3. transitive and intransitive verb smash something: to break or throw something, or be broken or thrown, usually against a hard surface
(
formal
)
The waves were dashing against the sea wall.
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4. transitive verb ruin something: to frustrate or destroy something
(
often passive
)
The new crisis has dashed all hopes of a speedy return to democratic government.
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5. transitive verb discourage somebody: to make somebody feel discouraged or intimidated
(
usually passive
)
I felt more than a little dashed by the ease with which she had refuted my arguments.
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6. transitive verb add small amount to something: to alter, improve, or flavour something with a small amount of another substance
(
often passive
)
tonic water dashed with bitters
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7. transitive verb express irritation with somebody or something: used to express annoyance or dissatisfaction with somebody or something
(
dated informal
)
Dash it, I've already paid the man!
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| [13th century. Origin ?] |
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cut a dash to be dressed smartly and stylishly so as to attract attention (dated)
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do your dash Australia to use up all your energy in an effort or attempt at something (informal)
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