dash English · revision 10596

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=onomatopoeia|attested=c. 1300}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dæʃ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Middle English dasshen is of uncertain origin,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) probably imitative, formed like [[clash]], [[bash]] and [[smash]] from the sound of a blow or a sudden movement,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) and perhaps from a Scandinavian source: compare Swedish daska, Danish daske, to beat, strike,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Barnhart 1988) though no older Scandinavian forms are recorded.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To strike violently, so as to break into pieces: about 1300, the sense still seen in ''dashed to pieces'' and ''dashed hopes''.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Moving quickly, rushing, is from the 14th century.^(Hoad 1986)^(Etymonline) The noun, a violent blow, is from about 1390.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The punctuation mark is from the 1550s,^(Etymonline) a small amount mixed in (''a dash of salt'') from the 1610s,^(Etymonline) showy appearance (''to cut a dash'') from 1715, and vigour or spirited action by 1796.^(Etymonline) In the 19th century dash became a euphemism for damn, partly from the printed dash put in place of the word.^(Hoad 1986) ''Dashboard'' was first a board in front of a carriage to stop mud being dashed up by the horses.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1300 – to strike, smash.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1390 – a blow (noun).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1550s – the punctuation dash.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1610s – a small admixture.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1715 – a showy appearance.^(Etymonline)

+ * 19th century – dash it!^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To hurl or [[smash]] violently: ''waves dashed against the rocks''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To move with haste; to [[rush]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To write or finish quickly: ''to dash off a letter''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To destroy or frustrate: ''our hopes were dashed''.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A sudden quick movement or [[sprint]]; a short race.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A small amount of something added: ''a dash of milk''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[punctuation]] mark (—) used to show a break or insertion.^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Lively style or [[flair]].^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[dashing]]

+ * [[bedash]]

+ * [[dashpot]]

+ * [[dashy]]

+ * [[slapdash]]

+ * [[spatterdash]]

+ * [[em dash]]

+ * [[en dash]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dashboard]]

+ * [[clash]]

+ * [[bash]]

+ * [[smash]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Merriam-Webster records a separate dash, a gift or tip in West Africa, perhaps from Portuguese das, “you give”.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}