dash etymology

Etymology

The word "dash" comes from the Old French word "dascher," which means "to strike." It is related to the Old High German word "dasca," which means "a blow."

Meaning

• A short, quick line (-), typically used to indicate a pause or break in a thought or sentence.
• A small amount or quantity.
• A sudden, vigorous effort or action.
• A person who is energetic and impetuous.

Origin

The Old French word "dascher" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Germanic root *þraskōn-, which has the general meaning of "to strike." This root is also the origin of the English words "thresh" and "thrash."

The word "dash" first appeared in English in the late 14th century. It was originally used as a noun to refer to a blow or a sudden movement. However, by the 16th century, it had begun to be used as a verb as well.

The use of "dash" as a punctuation mark developed in the 18th century. It was originally used to indicate a pause or break in a sentence that was longer than a comma but shorter than a period. Over time, the dash has come to be used for a variety of purposes, including:

• To set off parenthetical expressions
• To separate items in a list
• To indicate a change of subject or thought
• To introduce a quotation
• To emphasize a word or phrase

dash relate terms

• dashing

  Etymology The word dashing comes from the Middle English word daschen meaning to str

• dash

  Etymology The word dash comes from the Old French word dascher which means to strik

• dash

  Etymology The word dash comes from the Old French word dascher which means to strik

• boulder

  Etymology Old English bolder a large stone Proto Germanic bulaz stone rock Pr

• dashboard

  Etymology The word dashboard is a combination of two words Dash A strong or violent

• pall

  Etymology The word pall has its origins in the Latin word pallium meaning cloak or

• scare

  Etymology The word scare is derived from the Middle English word skaren which means

• pebble

  Etymology Middle English peble from Old English pebbel of uncertain origin possibly

• hyphen

  Etymology Middle English iphen yphen c 1400 from Latin hyphen from Greek hyphḗ

• hurl

  Etymology The word hurl likely originates from the Old English word hyrlian which m

• swoop

  Etymology Middle English swopen from Old English swapan Meaning To move swi

• race

  Etymology and Meaning of Race The term race has a complex etymological history Indo

• acre

  Etymology The word acre derives from Old English æcer which is cognate with the Pr

• care

  Etymology From Middle English care from Old English cāru meaning sorrow anxiety g