Search for: Horses
7361 Etymology dictionary, p. skewbald (adj.).4
As a noun meaning "skewbald horse" or other animal from 1863.
7362 Etymology dictionary, p. skipper (n.2).2
… a horse; mid-15c. as "one who dances" (but early 14c. as a surname, Cicely la Skippere); agent noun from skip (v.). As a type of butterfly, 1817, so called for its quick, darting …
7363 Etymology dictionary, p. skittish (adj.).3
The sense of "shy, easily frightened, nervous, apt to run" is by c. 1500, of horses. The meaning "changeable, fickle, inconstant" is from c. 1600; that of "inclined to be coy or reserved" is from 1640s. Related: Skittishly; skittishness .
7364 Etymology dictionary, p. sleigh (n.).3
Sleigh-ride "a ride in a sleigh" is recorded by 1770; sleigh-bell is by 1796; typically attached to the harness of a horse, they gave warning of the approach of a sleigh.
7365 Etymology dictionary, p. slot (n.1).2
… or horse," a word of uncertain origin, perhaps from Old Norse sloð "trail" (see sleuth ). The anatomical sense is found in romances and in reference to wounds or blows …
7366 Etymology dictionary, p. Smithfield.2
… and horses, later the central meat market. It figures in various old colloquial expressions (such as Smithfield bargain "a cheat," 1660s). The place name is originally …
7367 Etymology dictionary, p. sneer (v.).2
… , of horses), perhaps from North Frisian sneere "to scorn," related to Old English fnæran "snort, gnash one's teeth," and of imitative origin (compare Danish snærre …
7368 Etymology dictionary, p. snicker (v.).2
"laugh in a half-suppressed way," 1690s, possibly of imitative origin; it is similar to Dutch snikken "to gasp, sob;" also compare the horse's nicker. Related: Snickered; snickering .
7369 Etymology dictionary, p. snore (v.).2
… of horses, mid-15c. of persons, "breathe in sleep with a rough, hoarse noise," probably related to snort (v.) and both probably ultimately imitative (compare Dutch …
7370 Etymology dictionary, p. snort (v.).2
… a horse," probably related to snore (v.) or like it imitative of the sound made. The sense of "express contempt" is from 1818. The meaning "inhale cocaine" is attested …
7371 Etymology dictionary, p. snout (n.).3
… a horse can make, and the rough or obstructed breathing of a human snore. Also compare snarl, sneeze, snooze, snuff, snoop, snot, etc. Their relation to another Germanic …
7372 Etymology dictionary, p. snow-plow (n.).2
also snowplow, snow-plough, "implement for clearing snow from roads, etc.," 1792, first mentioned in a New Hampshire context, from snow (n.) + plow (n.). Originally a frame of angled boards hauled by horses or oxen.
7373 Etymology dictionary, p. soap opera (n.).3
Perhaps it is based on earlier was horse opera "a Western movie" (1927). The shortened form soap is attested by 1943.
7374 Etymology dictionary, p. solace (n.).3
… (a horse) a rest." The adjectival form solacious "pleasantly agreeable, affording comfort" was "common c 1500-1650" [OED].
7375 Etymology dictionary, p. sorrel (adj.).2
… of horses, mid-14c., sorel, (mid-12c. as a surname), from Old French sorel, from sor "yellowish-brown," probably from Frankish *saur "dry," or some other Germanic source …
7376 Etymology dictionary, p. soup (v.).2
"increase the horsepower of an engine," 1921, probably from soup (n.) in slang sense of "narcotic injected into horses to make them run faster" (1911) and influenced by supercharge (v.). Related: Souped-up (1931).
7377 Etymology dictionary, p. spanking (adj.).2
… of horses) "moving at a spirited pace, move with a quick, springing step" (1738), a word of uncertain origin, and perhaps not all senses are the same word originally …
7378 Etymology dictionary, p. spar (v.).3
… a horse with spurs," which is of uncertain origin. Etymologists seem to consider connection to spur unlikely.
7379 Etymology dictionary, p. spavin (n.).2
… a horse, early 15c., spavein, from Old French espavain, esparvain (Modern French épavin, cognate with Italian spavenio, Spanish esparavan ); the old explanation …
7380 Etymology dictionary, p. speedway (n.).2
1892, American English, "public road set aside for fast (horse) driving," from speed (n.) + way (n.). By 1925 as "race track for motor vehicles."