auld-reekie
An affectionate term for the old town of Edinburgh. Derived from its dingy appearance.
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aunt
Mine aunt; a bawd or procuress: a title of eminence for the senior dells, who serve for instructresses, midwives, &c. for the dells. CANT. See DELLS.
Aunt Sally
A game m which sticks or cudgels are thrown at a wooden head mounted on a pole, the object being to hit the nose of the figure, or break the pipe stuck in its mouth.
aurora borealis
The electrical lights occasionally seen in the northern part of the sky; also called "Northern Lights," and "Merry Dancers." See DERVVENTWATER. The similar phenomenon that occurs in the south and round the South Pole is known as the Aurora Australis.
Austin Friars
See AUGUSTINIAN FRIARS. The narrow lane in the City of London of this name is so called because it is on part of the site of an Augustinian priory, the church of which remained until 1941 when it was destroyed by an aerial bomb.
Austrian Lip
No one who has seen portraits of the Spanish royal family of Hapsburgs can have failed to notice the curiously protruded lower jaw and lip that marked them all. This is one of the most famous cases of inherited physical deformities.
autem bawler
A parson.
autem cackler
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
autem cacklers, autem prickears
Dissenters of every denomination. CANT.
autem cackletub
A conventicle or meeting-house for dissenters. CANT.
autem diver
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
autem divers
Pickpockets who practice in churches; also churchwardens and overseers of the poor. CANT.
autem goglers
Pretended French prophets. CANT.
autem mort
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
autem quaver tub
A Quakers' meeting-house. CANT.
Authentic Doctor
A title bestowed on the scholastic philosopher, Gregory of Rimini (d. 1358).
Authorized Version
The Hebrew says "his person entered into the iron** (i.e. he was laid in irons); but Coverdale and some others — following the Vulgate — have *They hurte his fete in the stockes, the yron pearsed his herte.
Authorized Version of the Bible
In the Roman system of numeration it was (and in medical prescriptions still is) used in place of i as the final figure in a series — iij, vij, etc., for iii, vii.
autumn romance
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
avant la lettre
Describing something that existed before it was formally named or recognized
avast
A sailor’s phrase for stop, shut up, go away,—apparently connected with the old Cant, BYNGE A WASTE; or from the Italian, BASTA, hold! enough.
average bear
An ordinary person with no exceptional abilities
average joe
An ordinary person without special status
average up
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Avignon Popes
In 1309 Pope Clement V left Rome and transferred the papal court to Avignon, where the popes remained for seventy years of strife and confusion.
Avoid evil and it will avoid thee. (Strauss, 1994 p. 520)
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
Avoid Extremes
A traditional saying of Pittacus of Mitylene (652-569 B.C.), one of the seven Wise Men of Greece. It is echoed in many writers and literatures. Compare the advice given by Phoebus to Phaethon when he was preparing to drive the chariot of the sun: — Medio tutissimus ibis (You will go more safely in the middle).— OVID: Met, ii, 137.
avoid the pleasure which will bite tomorrow
Refuse enjoyable things that will have negative consequences later
avoir du pois lay
Stealing brass weights off the counters of shops. CANT.
awake
Acquainted with, knowing the business. Stow the books, the culls are awake; hide the cards, the fellows know what we intended to do.
awake
Or FLY, knowing, thoroughly understanding. "I’m awake," i.e., I know all. The phrase WIDE-AWAKE carries a similar meaning in ordinary conversation, but has a more general reference.
awareness of something
Knowledge or understanding of a particular issue or situation
away from somebody
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
away game
Sports event played at opponent's home venue
away goes the devil if he finds the door shut against him
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
away with the fairies
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
awful
A senseless expletive, used to intensify a description of anything good or bad; "what an AWFUL fine woman!" "awfully jolly," "awfully sorry," &c. The phrase is not confined to any section of society.
awko taco
Awkward.
awks
Awkward.
Awkward Squad
Military recruits not yet fitted to take their place in the ranks.
awky
Awkward.
ax
To ask. Sometimes pronounced arks.
ax to grind
a personal reason for doing something
axe wound
Vulva.
axis of advance
A military term for the road or track running through an area to be attacked and used by the attackers to maintain direction.
aye aye shepherd's pie
Yes.
aye aye, sir
used to acknowledge and confirm receipt of an order
ayo
A greeting.
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