dash

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act of moving with great haste

   I made a dash for the door.

2. 2
   noun

   distinctive and stylish elegance

   I wooed the fireman with the confident dash of a cavalry officer.

3. 3
   noun

   a footrace run at top speed

   I am preparing for the 100-yard dash.

4. 4
   verb

   add an enlivening or altering element to

   blue paint dashed with white

5. 5
   verb

   hurl or thrust violently

   I dashed the plate against the wall.

6. 6
   verb

   cause to lose courage

   dashed by the refusal

7. 7
   verb

   run or move very quickly or hastily

   I dashed into the yard.

8. 8
   verb

   destroy or break

   dashed ambitions and hopes

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.