New words list September 2021

New words: entirely new headword entries appearing in OED for the first time
New sub-entries: compounds or phrases integrated in to the body of newly or recently updated entries
New senses: new senses integrated in to the body of newly or recently updated entries
Additions to unrevised entries: new senses, compounds, or phrases appended to the end of existing OED entries which have not yet been updated for the Third Edition

New word entries

New sub-entries

  • Asian elephant in Asian, n. and adj.: “an elephant native to India and South-east Asia, Elephas maximus, which is distinguished from the larger African elephant by its smaller ears…”
  • Asian giant hornet in Asian, n. and adj.: “a large hornet native to South-east Asia and recorded in North America, Vespa mandarinia, which feeds on tree sap, honey, and other insects including…”
  • Asian hornet in Asian, n. and adj.: “any of several hornets native to Asia; spec. Vespa velutina, which is considered an invasive species in Europe and feeds on other insects, including…”
  • Asian lion in Asian, n. and adj.: “the Asiatic lion, Panthera leo leo.”
  • Asian longhorned beetle in Asian, n. and adj.: “a black and white longhorn beetle native to eastern Asia and considered an invasive species elsewhere, Anoplophora glabripennis.”
  • Asian palm civet in Asian, n. and adj.: “a palm civet native to South and South-East Asia, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, having greyish-black shaggy fur with white markings on the face.”
  • Asian pear in Asian, n. and adj.: “the nashi pear, Pyrus pyrifolia, native to eastern Asia.”
  • Asian seabass in Asian, n. and adj.: “a large perciform fish found in estuaries and coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific, Lates calcarifer (family Latidae), popular as food and as a game…”
  • Asian tiger mosquito in Asian, n. and adj.: “a mosquito native chiefly to eastern Asia but found in other continents, Aedes albopictus, which has a black body marked with white bands and is a…”
  • Asian miracle in Asian, n. and adj.: “the rapid economic growth of certain East Asian countries (esp. Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea) in the second half of the 20th cent…”
  • Asian studies in Asian, n. and adj.: “the study of Asian cultures, languages, history, etc., esp. as an academic discipline.”
  • Asian-like in Asian, n. and adj.: “characteristic or reminiscent of Asia or its people, languages, etc.; Asian in nature, appearance, or style.”
  • Asiatic cheetah in Asiatic, adj. and n.: “a cheetah of the subspecies Acinonyx jubatus venaticus, members of which have a relatively short coat and mane.”
  • Asiatic elephant in Asiatic, adj. and n.: “the Asian elephant, Elephas maximus.”
  • Asiatic lion in Asiatic, adj. and n.: “a lion of the subspecies Panthera leo leo, members of which are typically smaller than African lions and have a less developed mane.”
  • barrack yard in barrack, n.1: “an area of land having small, roughly-constructed dwellings with shared facilities, originally inhabited by labourers but later also used principally…”
  • bath bomb in bath, n.1: “a ball or other shaped item made of a perfumed substance or mixture which dissolves when placed in water (typically with effervescence), and is used…”
  • to be a beast in beast, n. and adj.: “colloquial. to be a beast: to be someone who is exceptionally gifted, adept, persistent, or hard-working. Cf. to be a bear at bear, n.1 phrases 8.”
  • Beast Barracks in beast, n. and adj.: “(at the U.S. Military and Air Force Academies) the initial period of basic training for newly entered cadets.”
  • beast leech in beast, n. and adj.: “an animal doctor or veterinary surgeon, esp. one who specializes in the treatment of cattle.”
  • big tech in big, adj. and adv.: “major, multinational technology companies considered collectively as a sector of industry; frequently as a modifier, as in big tech company, big tech…”
  • on the bridle in bridle, n.: “on the bridle: (of a horse) ridden on a tight rein; cf. on the bit.”
  • off the bridle in bridle, n.: “off the bridle: (of a horse) ridden on a loose rein; cf. off the bit.”
  • bridle track in bridle, n.: “a track suitable for horses, or along which riders are allowed to go on horseback.”
  • bridle trail in bridle, n.: “a trail suitable for horses, or along which riders are allowed to go on horseback.”
  • bridle joint in bridle, n.: “a type of joint, similar to a mortise and tenon but varying in length and depth.”
  • bridle leather in bridle, n.: “leather of the type used for bridles or saddlery; spec. a type of strong, high-quality leather produced by treating the hide on both sides with…”
  • caravan tea in caravan, n.: “(originally) tea transported overland from China to Russia rather than by sea, commonly thought to acquire a distinctive and superior flavour as a…”
  • cardiac massage in cardiac, adj. and n.: “rhythmical compression of the heart (either with the chest opened surgically, or by pressure on the chest wall), performed to maintain circulation…”
  • cardiac muscle in cardiac, adj. and n.: “the myocardium (muscle tissue of the heart); (also) the type of muscle tissue of which this is composed, consisting of a network of striated muscle…”
  • cardiac output in cardiac, adj. and n.: “the quantity of blood pumped by the heart in a given period of time (typically measured in litres per minute).”
  • cardiacle passion in cardiacle, n.: “the disorder cardiacle; cf. cardiac passion n. at cardiac, adj. n.compounds .”
  • cardiganed in cardigan, n.: “wearing a cardigan.”
  • cardiometric in cardio-, comb. form: “of or relating to cardiometry.”
  • cardiometry in cardio-, comb. form: “(a) measurement of the size or volume of the heart (now somewhat rare); (b) measurement of the strength, output, or rate of contraction of the heart…”
  • cardiomyocyte in cardio-, comb. form: “a cardiac muscle (myocardial) cell.”
  • cardiorenal in cardio-, comb. form: “†(a) (of an imaginary vertical line on the back) extending between the heart and the right kidney (obsolete rare); (b) of, relating to, or affecting…”
  • cardiologic in cardiology, n.: “of or relating to cardiology; = cardiological adj.”
  • cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiopulmonary, adj.: “the diversion of blood flow away from the heart and lungs by means of a pump which oxygenates the blood and circulates it to the rest of the body…”
  • cardiopulmonary resuscitation in cardiopulmonary, adj.: “emergency treatment designed to restore circulatory and respiratory function, esp. after cardiac arrest, typically consisting of repeated cycles of…”
  • cardiovascular disease in cardiovascular, adj.: “disease affecting the heart and blood vessels, (in later use) esp. that resulting from atherosclerosis; (also) an instance or type of such disease.”
  • to catch one’s arse in catch, v.: “Caribbean. to catch (one’s) arse (also ass): to suffer or undergo misfortune, hardship, or difficulty.”
  • conjure bag in conjure, n.: “a charm consisting of a small bag or pouch containing an assortment of objects such as herbs, hair, coins, etc., intended to be used to ward off evil…”
  • DR in D, n.: “the Dominican Republic.”
  • digital wallet in digital, n. and adj.: “a device, application, or online service that can be used to make financial transactions electronically, and which may also store electronic forms of…”
  • drive bay in drive, n.: “a space within the casing of a computer in which additional hardware can be fitted, such as a disk drive, tape drive, or CD-ROM drive.”
  • drive letter in drive, n.: “an alphabetic identifier assigned to a computer drive; cf. sense 22.”
  • drive shed in drive, n.: “a large building used for storing farm machinery, vehicles, etc.”
  • to drive the green in drive, v.: “Golf. to drive the green: to hit the ball from the tee on to the green in a single shot.”
  • drive and dish in drive, v.: “In the verb phrase to drive and dish (the ball): to dribble the ball forward towards the basket and then pass to another teammate to shoot the…”
  • drive and dish in drive, v.: “As an adjectival phrase (in attributive use, usually with hyphens): designating a move, style of play, etc., in which an attacking player dribbles…”
  • drive and dish in drive, v.: “As a noun phrase (sometimes with hyphens): a move in which an attacking player dribbles the ball forward towards the basket and then passes to…”
  • drive and kick in drive, v.: “In the verb phrase to drive and kick (the ball): to dribble the ball towards the basket and then pass to another teammate, typically at the three…”
  • drive and kick in drive, v.: “As a noun phrase (sometimes with hyphens): a move in which an attacking player dribbles the ball towards the basket and then passes back to another…”
  • drive and kick in drive, v.: “As an adjectival phrase (in attributive use, usually with hyphens): designating a move, style of play, etc., in which an attacking player dribbles…”
  • drive chain in drive, v.: “a chain in the form of a closed loop, with links that engage with toothed wheels in order to transmit power from one shaft or sprocket wheel to…”
  • drive system in drive, v.: “the components of a mechanical device that bring about the movement of a part or the whole of the device.”
  • drivelled in drivel, v.: “†(a) smeared with saliva or mucus (obsolete); (b) (of words) uttered in a foolish or silly way (rare).”
  • driver assist in driver, n.: “an automotive system or set of systems that provides feedback, warnings, or other assistance to the driver of a vehicle; = driver assistance n.”
  • driver assistance in driver, n.: “an automotive system or set of systems that provides feedback, warnings, or other assistance to the driver of a vehicle, esp. by taking over aspects…”
  • driver fatigue in driver, n.: “symptoms of tiredness experienced by a person driving a motor vehicle.”
  • driver-only in driver, n.: “designating a public transport vehicle that is operated by the driver only, without a guard, conductor, etc., on board; of or relating to such a…”
  • driver’s ed in driver, n.: “training or a course of instruction in driving a motor vehicle, esp. a course that includes supervised instruction while driving as well as lessons…”
  • driver’s education in driver, n.: “training or a course of instruction in driving a motor vehicle, esp. a course that includes supervised instruction while driving as well as lessons…”
  • driver-side in driver, n.: “the side of a vehicle where the driver sits, as opposed to the passenger’s side; now frequently as a modifier, as in driver-side door, driver-side…”
  • driver’s test in driver, n.: “a test of a person’s ability to drive a vehicle; (now) esp. an official test of a motorist’s competence which must be passed in order to obtain a…”
  • driving cleek in driving, n.: “(originally) a cleek (cleek, n. 1b) used for longer shots, as opposed to one used for putting (cf. putting cleek n.); (in later use chiefly) a…”
  • driving mashie in driving, n.: “a version of a mashie (mashie, n.) with a less lofted club-face and a longer shaft.”
  • Dutch baby in Dutch, adj., n.1, and adv.: “(originally) a type of small pancake; (now) a large, puffy pancake similar to a Yorkshire pudding, baked in a skillet and typically served as a sweet…”
  • Eurasian lynx in Eurasian, n. and adj.: “a lynx native to northern and central Europe, Russia, and Asia, Lynx lynx, having reddish-brown fur with black spots and white underparts.”
  • in any event in event, n.: “in any event: whatever happens or may have happened; in any case. Also (less commonly) at any event.”
  • fair territory in fair, adj. and n.1: “the part of the playing area within and including the foul lines (foul line, n. 1); cf. fair ground, n.2”
  • flight mode in flight, n.1: “a setting on a smartphone, tablet, etc., that suspends all signal reception and transmission (i.e. cellular connection, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi)…”
  • foul ground in foul, n.: “the part of the playing surface outside the foul lines; cf. foul territory n.”
  • foul pole in foul, n.: “either of the tall vertical poles at the end of each foul line (foul line, n. 1) where it meets the outfield wall, which serve as boundary lines for…”
  • foul territory in foul, n.: “the part of the playing area outside the foul lines (foul line, n. 1); cf. foul ground n.”
  • to cry foul in foul, adj.: “to cry foul: to protest strongly about a real or imagined wrong or injustice.”
  • foul-hooking in foul-hook, v.: “the action or practice of catching a fish by hooking it in a part of the body other than the mouth.”
  • fouling mark in fouling, n.: “a sign or notice indicating the point at which the distance between two converging railway lines falls below the minimum required to avoid collision…”
  • foul-weather friend in foul-weather, adj.: “a friend who can be relied upon during times of adversity; (also depreciative) a person who is friendly or dependable only at such times. Opposed to…”
  • have you seen a ghost? in ghost, n. and adj.: “have you seen a ghost?: used to ask why a person appears shocked, fearful, or disturbed.”
  • to look like one has seen a ghost in ghost, n. and adj.: “to look like one has seen a ghost and variants: to appear shocked, fearful, or disturbed.”
  • the ghost of a person’s former self in ghost, n. and adj.: “the ghost of a person’s (or thing’s) former self: a weaker or inferior version of how a person (or thing) was previously.”
  • ghost at the feast in ghost, n. and adj.: “ghost at the feast (also banquet): a person or thing whose presence spoils an otherwise pleasant event, occasion, or situation, esp. by forcing…”
  • a ghost from one’s past in ghost, n. and adj.: “a ghost from one’s (also the) past and variants: a person who or thing which makes an unexpected reappearance after a prolonged period of time.”
  • ghost in the machine in ghost, n. and adj.: “Generally: any unseen or intangible force or phenomenon which appears to be driving, managing, or interfering with a device, system, or process.”
  • ghost band in ghost, n. and adj.: “a big band that performs under the name of a deceased leader, typically playing the original band’s arrangements, or music written in a similar style.”
  • ghost bike in ghost, n. and adj.: “a bicycle painted white and left as a memorial at a site where a cyclist was fatally injured in a collision with a motor vehicle.”
  • ghost car in ghost, n. and adj.: “a car used for a specific task (typically surveillance) which bears no outward sign of its purpose; spec. (chiefly Canadian) an unmarked vehicle used…”
  • ghost detainee in ghost, n. and adj.: “an unregistered person held anonymously in a detention facility.”
  • ghost estate in ghost, n. and adj.: “a housing estate which has been largely abandoned; (now) esp. a newly-built estate in which most of the units are uninhabited or unfinished.”
  • ghost fishing in ghost, n. and adj.: “the process by which fish and other marine animals become trapped in or ensnared by lost or discarded fishing equipment; cf. ghost gear n., ghost net…”
  • ghost gear in ghost, n. and adj.: “fishing gear, such as nets and lines, which has been lost or discarded in the ocean, and presents a danger to the marine environment and its…”
  • ghost net in ghost, n. and adj.: “a fishing net which has been lost or discarded in the ocean, and presents a danger to the marine environment and its creatures; cf. ghost gear n.”
  • ghost note in ghost, n. and adj.: “(a) a (typically unaccented) musical note which has a rhythmic value but little or no discernible pitch; (b) a quiet drumbeat played between the…”
  • Ghost Shirt in ghost, n. and adj.: “a shirt or shirt-like garment created and worn by a Ghost Dancer, reputed to give the wearer spiritual powers and protection; cf. Ghost Dancer, n.”
  • ghost sign in ghost, n. and adj.: “an old sign or notice displaying obsolete information, or advertising a defunct product or business; (now) esp. a painted sign of this type that…”
  • ghost squad in ghost, n. and adj.: “(a) a unit of covert detectives or police officers; (b) South African (usually with capital initials) a branch of the police responsible for checking…”
  • ghost station in ghost, n. and adj.: “a disused railway station, esp. one through which trains still pass.”
  • ghost bat in ghost, n. and adj.: “any of several bats having white or light grey coloration; esp. a large bat native to northern Australia, Macroderma gigas (family Megadermatidae)…”
  • ghost crab in ghost, n. and adj.: “†(a) the ghost shrimp Caprella linearis (obsolete); (b) any of various pale-coloured shore crabs constituting the subfamily Ocypodinae, native to…”
  • ghost orchid in ghost, n. and adj.: “any of several orchids having white or whitish flowers; esp. (a) an epiphytic orchid native to Florida and the West Indies, Dendrophylax lindenii…”
  • ghost plant in ghost, n. and adj.: “(a) Indian pipe, Monotropa uniflora, which lacks chlorophyll and is typically whitish-pink in colour; (b) any of several amaranths (genus Amaranthus)…”
  • ghost shrimp in ghost, n. and adj.: “(a) any of various marine amphipods having slender elongated bodies and comprising the family Caprellidae (cf. skeleton shrimp n.); (b) any of…”
  • ghostlifying in ghostlify, v.
  • glutinous hag in glutinous, adj.: “the Atlantic hagfish, Myxine glutinosa, which has the ability to secrete large quantities of thick mucus from glands along its sides.”
  • to strike a hag into the post in hag, n.2: “Chiefly Scottish. to put (also strike) a hag in (or into) the post (and variants): used (with figurative reference to the act of creating a permanent…”
  • hag saw in hag, v.1: “a kind of (long) saw, probably used for cutting wood; cf. hacksaw, n.”
  • haggis-eater in haggis, n.: “(a) a person who eats haggis, esp. frequently or habitually; (b) colloquial (chiefly derogatory and offensive) a person of Scottish origin or descent.”
  • Haggisland in haggis, n.: (chiefly derogatory and offensive) “Scotland.”
  • haggis supper in haggis, n.: “a meal with haggis as the main dish; (now esp.) (Scottish) a meal of (deep-fried) haggis and chips bought from a fish and chip shop or other…”
  • higher power in higher, adj., adv., and n.1: “a divine or spiritual being, esp. God or a god, that governs human affairs and to which humankind is subject; (also, and in earliest use) a temporal…”
  • Order of the Holy Ghost in Holy Ghost, n.: “historical. A Roman Catholic religious order that originally specialized in the care of the sick and infirm in hospitals rather than monastic…”
  • to put a hoodoo on in hoodoo, n. and adj.: “to put a (or the) hoodoo on and variants: to curse or bewitch (a person or thing); to bring bad luck to (a person or thing). Cf. hoodoo, v. 1, to put…”
  • to come in hot in hot, adv.: “colloquial (chiefly North American). To arrive at a high or dangerous speed.”
  • to come in hot in hot, adv.: “colloquial (chiefly North American). To arrive or start doing something with great energy or speed; to take an intense or highly enthusiastic…”
  • to come in hot in hot, adv.: “Military slang. To make a sudden intense attack, especially by entering a combat situation while firing one’s weapon or weapons.”
  • in it in in, prep.: “Chiefly Scottish and Irish English. in it: there, in existence. Sometimes in contracted form in’t.”
  • in-hand in in-, prefix1: “(a) held in the hand; also figurative; (b) spec. in Equestrianism: used in or involving the leading of a horse by hand.”
  • in-work in in-, prefix1: “occurring or received during one’s employment.”
  • in vitro fertilization in in vitro, adv. and adj.: “fertilization of an ovum or ova outside the body of a female (typically in tissue culture), originally as an experimental technique and later as a…”
  • jake leg in jake, n.2: “weakness or paralysis of certain muscles of the leg caused by the drinking of adulterated jake; (also) a leg affected by this condition.”
  • jake walk in jake, n.2: “weakness or paralysis of certain muscles of the leg caused by the drinking of adulterated jake; (also) the limping, uneven gait resulting from this…”
  • Korean wave in Korean, adj. and n.: “the rise of international interest in South Korea and its popular culture which took place in the late 20th and 21st centuries, esp. as represented…”
  • lizard-hipped in lizard, n.: “designating (a group of) dinosaurs having a pelvic structure closely resembling that of modern lizards and other reptiles, with the pubis pointing…”
  • local white in local, adj. and n.: “(originally) a white colonist or settler in the Caribbean; (later) a descendent of these people; a Caribbean person of European or mixed ancestry…”
  • lone ranger in lone, adj.: “a person who works or acts alone or in an isolated manner, esp. one who does not consult with others or seek approval (cf. lone wolf n.).”
  • long Covid in long, adj.1 and n.1: “a syndrome characterized by the persistence or development of symptoms attributed to Covid-19 weeks after (esp. more than 12 weeks after) initial…”
  • mass surveillance in mass, n.2: “the monitoring of, or collection of information about, the individuals in a large group of people, esp. an entire population or section of a…”
  • in the mix in mix, n.2: “in the mix: involved, in effect; possible; at play.”
  • mobile wallet in mobile, adj.1: “a device, application, or online service that can be used to make financial transactions electronically, and which may also store electronic forms of…”
  • noise-cancelling in noise, n.: “(of a device, instrument, software, etc.) designed to reduce or eliminate extraneous or unwanted noise, now esp. through the generation of cancelling…”
  • Old Hag in old, adj.: “(now usually with the) a spirit or supernatural being believed to produce a feeling of suffocation in a sleeping person or animal; (also) a feeling…”
  • to eat parrot head in parrot, n.1: “Caribbean (chiefly Trinidad). to eat parrot head (also bottom) and variants: used to indicate that a person chatters incessantly or is excessively…”
  • patient-doctor in patient, adj. and n.: “designating or relating to the relationship between a patient and a doctor, or patients and doctors generally; cf. doctor-patient adj. at doctor, n…”
  • like peas in pea, n.2: “Caribbean (chiefly Trinidad). like peas: in large quantities; in great numbers; to a considerable extent. licks like peas: repeated blows; a sound…”
  • period poverty in period, n., adj., and adv.: “the condition of being unable to afford or obtain adequate sanitary protection for use during menstruation.”
  • preferred holder in preferred, adj. and n.: “a holder of preferred stock (see preferred stock n.).”
  • Queen’s Chain in queen, n.: “a strip of publicly-owned access land along coasts and waterways.”
  • sexual preference in sexual, adj. and n.: “(originally) a preference with respect to an object of sexual desire, potential mate, partner, etc.; (later chiefly) a person’s sexual identity in…”
  • to draw the short straw in short, adj., n., and adv.: “to draw (also get,etc.) the short straw and variants: to be the unluckiest member of a group when an outcome is determined, esp. in being allotted an…”
  • short straw in short, adj., n., and adv.: “(chiefly with the) something which or someone who is the least welcome or desirable of a number of options; cf. to draw (also get, etc.) the short…”
  • slab serif in slab, n.1: “(a) n. a thick square or rectangular serif; (also) any of various typefaces, fonts, etc., distinguished by such serifs, typically of generally…”
  • smokeshow in smoke, n.: “(a) (usually as two words) an activity or event that generates a large amount of smoke, often as part of an exhibition or display; (b) slang (chiefly…”
  • spectre at the feast in spectre, n.: “spectre at the feast (also banquet): a person or thing whose presence spoils an otherwise pleasant event, occasion, or situation, esp. by forcing…”
  • so sue me in sue, v.: “colloquial. (so) sue me: used as a mock challenge to express defiant indifference, preceding or following a statement others might disapprove of…”
  • sue-happy in sue, v.: “tending or too ready to initiate legal proceedings against a person or institution; litigious.”
  • suede leather in suede, adj. and n.: “(a) n. soft leather which has been rubbed or buffed to make a slightly rough napped surface; = sense B. 2a; (b) adj. made of or covered with suede.”
  • suet-like in suet, n.: “resembling or characteristic of suet in appearance or taste.”
  • tenement yard in tenement, n.: “(a) (U.S.) the yard of a tenement building; (b) (esp. in Jamaica and Guyana) an area of land with multiple small, poor-quality houses that have…”
  • tequila slammer in tequila, n.: “(a) a cocktail made from tequila mixed with a bubbly beverage, which is covered, slammed down on a hard surface so as to cause the contents to fizz…”
  • thread count in thread, n.: “the number of threads in a given area of fabric, used as a measure of its coarseness or fineness. Frequently as a modifier, and preceded by…”
  • thunderclap headache in thunder-clap, n.: “a type of headache characterized by severe pain of very sudden onset, which is often but not exclusively associated with a serious underlying…”
  • to suck one’s teeth in tooth, n.: “to suck one’s teeth: to make a sound by sucking air and saliva through the teeth, in order to express contempt, disapproval, frustration, etc…”
  • to kiss one’s teeth in tooth, n.: “to kiss one’s teeth: to express contempt, disapproval, etc., by sucking air and saliva through the teeth; = to suck one’s teeth at additions a. Now…”
  • unwitching in unwitch, v.: “the removal of a spell from someone or something; disenchantment.”
  • van horse in van, n.3: “a horse used to pull a van or caravan; cf. vanner, n.2 1.”
  • vendue house in vendue, n.: “a building in which public sales are conducted, an auction house.”
  • to put voodoo on in voodoo, n.: “to put voodoo on (also to put a voodoo on, to put the voodoo on): to afflict (a person or thing) with a curse or other spell by means of voodoo; to…”
  • voodoo death in voodoo, n.: “death to which fear of witchcraft, other strong emotion, or sudden stress is believed to have contributed, esp. by inducing abnormal activity of the…”
  • voodoo doll in voodoo, n.: “a small figure in the likeness of a real person, the tormenting or cursing of which supposedly affects that person.”
  • voter suppression in voter, n.: “actions or measures intended to prevent people, esp. those belonging to certain demographic groups, from voting in elections; frequently as a…”
  • waste youth in waste, adj.: “a stupid, contemptible, or useless young person; also as a derogatory form of address.”
  • whoop all hid in whoop, v.: “whoop all hid. Cf. all hid, n. Obsolete.”
  • whooping owl in whooping, adj. and adv.: “an owl with a hooting rather than a wailing or screeching call; cf. hoot owl n. at hoot, n.1 4.”
  • will you? in will, v.1: “will you? (in later use also would you?): appended to a request in order to soften it or to a command in order to strengthen it.”
  • he who wills the end wills the means in will, v.2: “Proverb. (he) who wills the end, wills the means and variants: a person who wishes to achieve a desired goal must find or be prepared to use the…”
  • willy boy in willy, n.2: “a weak, cowardly or frightened man.”
  • willy-waving in willy, n.2: “(a) n. boastful or exaggerated demonstrations of machismo, toughness, or superiority; (b) adj. engaging in or characterized by such behaviour.”
  • witch ball in witch, n.: “(a) a puffball fungus; (b) a tumbleweed; (c) a hollow ball of decorated, usually coloured or silvered glass, originally used as a charm against…”
  • witch craze in witch, n.: “a period of widespread belief in witches accompanied by the hunt for and persecution of people (esp. women) believed to be practising witchcraft…”
  • witch-fire in witch, n.: “(a) a luminous electrical discharge which appears around a protruding object, such as a ship’s mast or a church spire, during a storm; = St. Elmo’s…”
  • witches’ knickers in witch, n.: “discarded plastic bags or shreds of plastic bags that have become snagged in trees, hedges, etc.”
  • witchcraft act in witchcraft, n.: “any of various pieces of legislation relating to the practise of witchcraft, esp. when this is regarded as a crime (often with capital initials when…”
  • Witchfinder General in witchfinder, n.: “(a) (a title for) a high-ranking witchfinder (in sense 1; see note); (b) depreciative (a mock title for) a person who relentlessly seeks out and…”
  • zombie apocalypse in zombie, n.: “an imaginary event (as in a film, etc.) in which the world is taken over by zombies.”
  • zombie worm in zombie, n.: “any of various marine (chiefly deep-sea) polychaete worms which comprise the genus Osedax and live on the bones of dead whales (and possibly other…”

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