• KEACH
n. 1. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – a heave up
n. 2. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – the choice or pick of anything
vb. 1. 1387 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – to take up water etc. with a shallow vessel; to scoop up, to ladle out
vb. 2. 1809 Eng. dial. – to sip water, as from a brook
vb. 3. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – to drag forcibly
• KEACH-CUP
n. a1125 obs. rare – a toss-pot, a drunkard
• KEADY
adj. Bk1902 Sc. – wanton
• KEAK
n. 1600 obs. rare – a cackle; cackling
vb. 1545 obs. rare – to cackle
• KEAKY-RIDGED
adj. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – bent inwards
• KEALIE
n. 1840 Sc. – a social evening, esp. among neighbours; an evening’s informal entertainment, generally including singing and the telling of stories; a friendly visit
• KEAM
n. 1. 1777 Eng. dial. – the scum or froth which rises upon any liquid
n. 2. 1814 Sc. – a honeycomb
n. 3. Bk1902 Sc. – a young girl’s bosom, as being beautiful and sweet
• KEANE
vb. 1851 Eng. dial. – to scamper
• KEATHER
n. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – a cradle
• KEAU
vb. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – to twist, as the foot in walking
• KEAVE
vb. 1. 1851 Eng. dial. – to struggle on in a hopeless way
vb. 2. 1874 Sc. – to threaten
vb. 3. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – to plunge
• KEB
n. 1. 1470-73 Eng. dial. – a ewe that has lost her lamb, or whose lamb is still-born
n. 2. 1788 Sc. – a blow
n. 3. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – an old, worn-out sheep
n. 4. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – a villain
n. 5. Bk1902 Sc. – any creature small of its kind, esp. an infant
vb. 1. c1315 obs. rare – to boast, to brag
vb. 2. 1816 Sc. – of ewes: to bring forth a still-born lamb
vb. 3. 1888 Eng. dial. – to pant for breath; to sob
vb. 4. Bk1902 Sc. – to beat severely
vb. 5. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – to turn in the knee or toes in walking
• KEBAR
n. 1. 1835 Sc. – a companion, a neighbour
n. 2. Bk1902 Sc.- a strong person of somewhat stubborn disposition
• KEBBED EWE
n. 1860 Sc. – a ewe whose lamb is stillborn
• KEBBER
n. 1538 obs. – an old or diseased sheep which is removed from the flock
• KEBBIE
adj. 1898 Sc. – anxious, eager
n. 1816 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – a hook-ended walking-stick; a shepherd’s crook
vb. Bk1902 Sc. – to chide, to quarrel
• KEBBIE-LEBBIE
n. 1794 Sc. – an altercation, especially as carried on by a number of persons speaking at one time; a wrangling, a quarrelling
vb. 18C Sc. – to altercate, to wrangle; to quarrel
• KEBBUCK
n. c1470 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial. – a cheese
• KEBBUCK-END
n. 1868 Sc. – the last remnants of a cheese
• KEBBUCK-HEEL
n. 1785 Sc. – the last remnants of a cheese
• KEBBUCK-STUMP
n. 1827 Sc. – the last remnants of a cheese
• KEBBY
n. 1816 Sc. & Eng. dial. – a hook-ended walking-stick; a shepherd’s crook
vb. Bk1902 Sc. – to chide, to quarrel
• KEBBY-STICK
n. 1816 Sc. & Eng. dial. – a hook-ended walking-stick; a shepherd’s crook
• KEB-FOOTED
adj. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – walking with the toes turned inward
• KEBROCK
n. 1882 Sc. – anything big and clumsy
• KEBS
n. Bk1901 Sc. – the game of knuckle-bones
• KECH
n. 1891 Sc. – a girl’s shoe
• KECHER
vb. 1896 Sc. – to cough continuously
• KECHT
n. 1824 Sc. – a consumptive cough
• KECK
adj. 1856 Eng. dial. – pert, insolent, lively
n. 1. 1852 Eng. dial. – the noise made in the gullet by sickness; a sound between a cough and choke
n. 2. 1873 Eng. dial. – rubbish
n. 3. 1881 Eng. dial. – a cuff or blow
n. 4. L19 sl. – a pocket
n. 5. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – a jolt
n. 6. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – a twist to one side; a sprain; an injury to the spine causing deformity
vb. 1. 1601 – to make a sound as if about to vomit; to retch; to feel an inclination to vomit
vb. 2. 1681 – to express strong dislike or disgust
vb. 3. 1721 – to become short of breath; to catch one’s breath; to gasp
vb. 4. 1740 Eng. dial. – to jerk oneself back; to throw back the head with disdainful air; to raise oneself erect
vb. 5. 1790 Eng. dial. – to stand awry; to twist to one side; to lean; to drop from an upright position
vb. 6. 1844 – of a bird: to cluck, to cackle
vb. 7. 1878 Eng. dial. – to choke; to make a choking noise in the throat; to cough
vb. 8. 1880 Eng. dial. – to stay or put up at a house temporarily when away from home
vb. 9. 1884 Eng. dial. – to raise up one end of anything, esp. to tip up a cart in order to unload it
vb. 10. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – to cackle, to laugh
vb. 11. Bk1901 Sc. – to draw back from a bargain; to flinch
vb. 12. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – to refuse with disdain; to be fastidious
vb. 13. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – to upset; to overbalance
• KECK AT
vb. 1642 – to reject food, medicine, etc. with loathing
• KECKCORN
n. 1790 Eng. dial. – the gullet; the windpipe
• KECKEN
vb. 1. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – to decline with loathing, aversion, or disgust, as offered food; to be fastidious
vb. 2. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – to make a sound between a choke and a cough; to retch
• KECKEN-HEARTED
adj. Bk1901 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – squeamish; loathing the sight of food; dainty; over-fastidious; faint-hearted
• KECKER
adj. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – squeamish
n. 1790 Eng. dial. – the gullet; the windpipe
• KECKER-HEARTED
adj. 1. 1896 Eng. dial. – faint-hearted, nervous
adj. 2. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – having a stomach that is easily upset
• KECKERS
n. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – the tonsils
• KECKERY
adj. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – squeamish
• KECK-FISTED
adj. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – left-handed; clumsy, awkward
• KECK-HANDED
adj. 1859 Eng. dial. – left-handed; awkward, clumsy
• KECKISH
adj. 1603 obs. rare – squeamish, affected by nausea
• KECKLE
adj. 1. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – pert
adj. 2. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – weak in the stomach; flighty
n. 1. 1820 Sc. – a short, spasmodic laugh; a chuckle; a cackling,; giddy behaviour
n. 2. 1877 Sc. – loud chatter; idle or foolish talk
vb. 1. 1513 – of a person: to chuckle, to laugh, to giggle
vb. 2. 1513 – of a hen or other bird: to cluck, to cackle
vb. 3. 1619 Eng. dial. – to make a sound as if about to vomit; to retch; to feel an inclination to vomit
vb. 4. 1856 Eng. dial. – to retort impertinently; to speak insolently
vb. 5. 1890 Sc. – to show eagerness; to show signs of joy or of temper; to regain one’s spirits after sickness, etc.
vb. 6. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – to cough, to choke; to make a noise in the throat while swallowing
• KECKLE-STOMACH
n. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – a squeamish stomach
• KECKLE-STOMACHED
adj. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – having a stomach easily disgusted, squeamish; over-particular
• KECKLING
adj. 1820 Sc. & Eng. dial. – chuckling, noisy; of a giddy disposition
n. 1819 Sc. – noisy laughter; giddy conduct
• KECKLISH
adj. 1601 obs. rare – squeamish, affected by nausea
• KECKS
n. 1. L19 sl. – trousers
n. 2. 1960s sl. – knickers, underpants
• KECKSY
adj. 1874 Eng. dial. – dry, juiceless; thirsty
vb. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – to become stringy
• KECKY
adj. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – squeamish
• KEDDENED
adj. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – covered over with mud or dust
• KEDDENED AND CABAGED
adj. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – having the boots covered with mud; dirty
• KEDGE
adj. 1. c1440 Eng. dial. – brisk, lively; in good spirits
adj. 2. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – stiff, tight
n. 1. 1781 Eng. dial. – a mischievous child
n. 2. 1852 Eng. dial. – trash, rubbish
n. 3. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – the belly; the stomach
n. 4. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – a glutton; a person who eats greedily
vb. 1. 1684 Sc. & Eng. dial. – to stuff; to fill, esp. to fill oneself with food
vb. 2. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – of the teeth: to be set on edge
vb. 3. Bk1901 Sc. – to toss about; to move a thing quickly from one place to another
• KEDGE-BELLIED
adj. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – pot-bellied
• KEDGE-BELLY
n. 1. 1721 Eng. dial. – a voracious or gluttonous feeder who stuffs himself full to repletion; a glutton
n. 2. B1900 Eng. dial. – a large, protuberant belly
• KEDGE-GUTTED
adj. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – said of an animal that has made itself ill by overeating
• KEDGE-KYTE
n. 1. Bk1901 Sc. – a glutton
n. 2. Bk1901 Sc. – a large, protuberant stomach
• KEDGER
n. 1835 Eng. dial. – a beggar, a tramp, a loafer, a petty thief
• KEDGER’S COFFEE-HOUSE
n. 19C sl. – a centre for beggars
• KEDGER’S HOTEL
n. 19C sl. – a centre for beggars
• KEDGING
n. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – food of all kinds; stuffing
• KEDGY
adj. 1. 1719 Eng. dial. – brisk, active, sprightly, lively; cheerful, happy
adj. 2. 1894 Eng. dial. – given to the pleasures of the table
adj. 3. B1900 Eng. dial. – wanton, lascivious
adj. 4. B1900 Eng. dial. – pot-bellied
• KEDIDOES
n. 1914 Amer. dial. – capers, pranks, tricks
• KEEADISH
adj. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – sluggish; unwilling, disinclined
• KEEAKY
adj. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – brisk, lively
• KEEBLER
n. 1990s African-American sl. – a White person
• KEECH
n. 1. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – a large lump, esp. of mud
n. 2. Bk1901 Sc. – dirt
n. 3. 1970s sl. – something distasteful or disgusting
n. 4. 1970s sl. – excrement
n. 5. 1970s sl. – nonsense, rubbish
vb. 1. 1863 Eng. dial. – of wax, melted fat, etc.: to set hard in cooling
vb. 2. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – of water: to film over, to begin to freeze
vb. 3. Bk1901 Sc. – to void excrement, used esp. of children
• KEECHAN
n. Bk1901 Sc. – a small rivulet
• KEECH-BELLY
n. 1834 Eng. dial. – a fat man
• KEECHIE
adj. Bk1901 Sc. – dirty
• KEECHTER
n. 1990s sl. – the posterior, the buttocks
• KEECHY
adj. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – of roads after rain: greasy
• KEED
n. 1920s US sl. – a person, used in direct address
• KEEF
n. 1. E19 drug culture sl. – hashish and mixtures of marijuana and tobacco
n. 2. 20C sl. – marijuana or the pleasure derived from smoking it
• KEEHEE
n. 1955 Amer. dial. – a goldfinch
• KEEK
n. 1. 1773 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – a peep
n. 2. L19 sl. – a pocket
n. 3. 1970s sl. – something distasteful or disgusting
n. 4. 1970s sl. – excrement
n. 5. 1970s sl. – nonsense, rubbish
n. 6. 20C US sl. – a peeping Tom; a voyeur
vb. 1. c1386 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – to glance, to gaze
vb. 2. c1440 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – to peep; to look privily, as through a narrow aperture, or round a corner
vb. 3. 1545 obs. rare – to cackle
• KEEK-BO
n. 1835 – bo-peep
• KEEK-BOGLE
n. Bk1901 Sc. – hide-and-seek
• KEEK-CLOY
n. E19 UK criminals’ sl. – a trouser pocket
• KEE KEE!
int. 1948 Amer. dial. – used as a reproach
• KEEKER
n. Bk1902 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – a peeper, a gazer
• KEEKERS
n. 1808 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – the eyes
• KEEK-HOLE
n. 1891 Eng. dial. – a peephole
• KEEKHORN
n. 1790 Eng. dial. – the gullet; the windpipe
• KEEKING-GLASS
n. a1724 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – a looking-glass
• KEEL
n. 1. 1485 obs. rare – a tub or vat for holding liquor
n. 2. a1547 poetic usage – a ship, a vessel
n. 3. 19C Sc. – the posteriors
vb. 1. c825 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – to cool; to lose heat; to refresh by cooling
vb. 2. c1175 obs. – to make less violent, eager, or ardent; to assuage, to mitigate, to lessen
vb. 3. c1325 – to grow cold in feeling, etc.; to become less violent, fervid, or ardent; to ‘cool down’; to diminish in intensity
vb. 4. c1420 – to become cool or cold
• KEEL A SOMERSET
vb. 1910 Amer. dial. – to turn a somersault
• KEELED UP
adj. 1899 Amer. dial. – very sick, laid up or worn out from sickness or old age
• KEELHAUL
vb. US Civil War usage – to punish with humiliation
• KEELIE
n. 1863 Sc. – a low or vulgar boy; a street-loafer or rough; a ruffian
• KEELING
n. 1382 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – cooling
• KEEL OUT
adj. 1916 Amer. dial. – incapacitated because of illness
• KEEL OVER
vb. 1. 1910 Amer. dial. – to turn a somersault
vb. 2. 1977 sl. – to die
• KEEL UP
vb. 1856 Amer. dial. – to incapacitate, esp. by illness or age; to kill, to deprive of life
• KEELY-OVER
n. 1943 Amer. dial. – a somersault
• KEEN
adj. 1. c897 obs. – brave, bold, valiant, daring
adj. 2. a1000 obs. – fierce, savage (chiefly used of animals); cruel; harsh (to a person)
adj. 3. a1000 obs. – mighty, powerful, strong
adj. 4. a1000 obs. – wise, learned, clever
adj. 5. 1297 obs. – bold, proud, forward, insolent, heinous
adj. 6. 1914 sl., orig. US – excellent; first-rate
vb. 1941 Amer. dial. – to scan; to direct one’s eyes sharply
• KEEN ARTICLE
n. Bk1942 Amer. college sl. – an attractive girl
• KEEN AS A BRIAR
adj. 1834 Amer. dial. – sly; quick-witted; intelligent
• KEEN DATE
n. Bk1942 Amer. college sl. – an attractive girl
• KEEN-EYED
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – of the eyes: sharp, piercing
• KEENLY
adj. c1205 obs. rare – bold, courageous
adv. 1. c1000 obs. – fiercely, boldly
adv. 2. a1300 obs. – sharply, quickly, in haste
• KEEN NUMBER
n. Bk1942 Amer. college sl. – an attractive girl
• KEENO
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – excellent; first-rate
• KEEN ON
adj. 1889 – fond of; enthusiastic about; liking; often implying sexual infatuation
• KEEN-POINTED
adj. 1. 1966 Amer. dial. – of the nose: pointed
adj. 2. 1966 Amer. dial. – of shoes: sharp-pointed
• KEENSHIP
n. c1205 obs. rare – boldness, fierceness
• KEEN STUFF
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• KEEN-TOED
adj. 1966 Amer. dial. – of shoes: sharp-pointed
• KEEP
n. 1. c1250 obs. – care, attention, heed, notice
n. 2. 1615 obs. – a clasp or similar fastening
n. 3. 1617 rare – a pond or reservoir for fish; a weir or dam for retaining water
n. 4. 1617 obs. rare – a meat-safe
n. 5. 1641 obs. rare – a herdsman or herdswoman
vb. 1. c1000 obs. – to lie in wait for, to watch for stealthily with hostile purpose; to intercept on the way
vb. 2. c1000 obs. – to seize, to lay hold of; to snatch, to take
vb. 3. c1000 obs. – to take in with the eyes, ears, or mind; to take note of, to behold, to observe
vb. 4. c1000 obs. – to try to catch or get; to seek after
vb. 5. c1000 obs. – to watch
vb. 6. c1000 obs. – to watch for, to wait for, to await a coming event or person
vb. 7. c1020 obs. – to take in, to receive, to contain, to hold
vb. 8. c1175 obs. – to defend oneself; to be on one’s guard
vb. 9. c1205 obs. – to meet in resistance or opposition; to encounter
vb. 10. c1205 obs. rare – to lie in ambush
vb. 11. 1297 obs. – to care for, to regard, to desire
vb. 12. a1300 obs. – to take care; to give heed
vb. 13. 1340 obs. – to intercept or meet in a friendly way; to greet, to welcome
vb. 14. 1362 obs. – to conduct or comport oneself; to behave
vb. 15. 1573 obs. – to retain in the memory; to remember
vb. 16. 1845 Amer. dial. – of school: to be in session; to commence
vb. 17. 1935 Amer. dial. – to persevere in, to carry on with, to maintain
• KEEP A LAMP LIT
vb. 1889 sl. – to keep an eye open; to keep alert
• KEEP ALL THE BEANS IN THE SACK
vb. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – to be careful of one’s money
• KEEP A NESTLING
vb. c1696 sl. – to be restless and uneasy
• KEEP AN IRONMONGER’S SHOP BY THE SIDE OF A COMMON
vb. L18 sl. – to be hanged in chains
• KEEP AN IRONMONGER’S SHOP BY THE SIDE OF A COMMON, WHERE THE SHERIFF SETS UP
vb. Bk1785 sl. – to be hanged in chains
• KEEP A REEKING HOUSE
vb. 1883 Sc. – to maintain a household
• KEEP A STIFF LIP
vb. 1970s African-American sl. – to keep quiet, to maintain a secret
• KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP
vb. 1833 – to keep up one’s courage
• KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE
vb. L19 sl. – to restrain oneself from laughing
• KEEP A SWANNERY
vb. L18 sl. – to boast; to boost one’s own achievements
• KEEP A TIGHT ASSHOLE
vb. 1918 Amer. military sl. – to avoid panicking; to keep cool
• KEEP A TIGHT HOLE
vb. 1940s sl., orig. US military usage – to maintain emotional control
• KEEP AT THE STICK’S END
vb. L19 sl. – to snub, to keep ‘at arm’s length’
• KEEP BANKER’S HOURS
vb. 1. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to be tardy to work
vb. 2. 20C sl. – to act lazily
• KEEP CASES ON
vb. L19 US sl. – to watch closely
• KEEP COMPANY
vb. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – to court
• KEEP DARK
int. 1835 US sl. – stay silent!
vb. 1681 colloq. – to keep secret
• KEEP DEAD
vb. 1900 Amer. sl. – to remain silent
• KEEP DICK
vb. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – to keep watch
• KEEP-DOOR
n. 1681 nonce word, obs. – a porter; a door-ward
• KEEPER
n. 1. c1450 obs. – a nurse; one who has charge of the sick
n. 2. 1676 obs. – one who keeps a mistress
n. 3. 1851 – a ring that keeps another (esp. the wedding-ring) on the finger
• KEEPERESS
n. 1748 rare – female keeper or custodian; a woman who keeps a man
• KEEPFUL
adj. 1489 obs. rare – careful, heedful
• KEEP GOOD QUARTER
vb. 1595 obs. – to keep good watch; to preserve good order
• KEEP HEAD AGAINST
vb. 1818 – to resist successfully, to hold one’s own against
• KEEPING
n. 1. 1382 obs. – confinement, imprisonment; prison
n. 2. 1641 obs. rare – a flock of sheep
n. 3. 1675 obs. – the maintaining of a mistress or lover; the fact of condition of being so maintained
• KEEP IN GAMMON
vb. 1821 thieves’ sl. – to engage a person’s attention while a confederate is robbing him
• KEEPING ROOM
n. 1771 Amer. dial. – a sitting room or parlour intended for family use, as distinct from a ‘front’ room reserved for company
• KEEP LIFE AND SOUL TOGETHER
vb. 1693 obs. – to keep oneself alive
• KEEP MELL IN SHAFT
vb. 1824 Sc. – to keep straight in any course; to keep in good health; to carry on one’s business prosperously; to make both ends meet
• KEEP NIT
vb. 1903 Aust. sl. – to keep watch, be observant
• KEEP OBS
vb. 1940s sl. – to keep a lookout
• KEEP-OFF
adj. 1623 obs. – serving to keep (foes) off
• KEEP OLD MAID’S HALL
vb. 1858 US sl. – to live or keep house without the presence of a man
• KEEP ONE’S ALLEY GOOD
vb. 1909 Aust. & NZ sl. – to ingratiate oneself
• KEEP ONE’S BRITCHES ON
vb. 1965 Amer. dial. – not to become impatient, excited, or angry
• KEEP ONE’S CHIN UP
vb. 1938 sl. – to retain one’s courage
• KEEP ONE’S EYE ON THE BALL
vb. 1907 US sl. – to be on the alert; to be careful
• KEEP ONE’S EYES PEELED
vb. c1905 sl. – to keep a sharp look out
• KEEP ONE’S HAIR DOWN
vb. 1968 Amer. dial. – to remain calm; to restrain one’s temper
• KEEP ONE’S HAIR ON
vb. 1885 Amer. dial. – to remain calm; to restrain one’s temper
• KEEP ONE’S HAND ON ONE’S HALFPENNY
vb. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – to be mean, stingy; to look after one’s own interests
• KEEP ONE’S HEAD ABOVE GROUND
vb. 1627 – to keep oneself in life
• KEEP ONE’S LATHER DOWN
vb. 1965 Amer. dial. – to be patient
• KEEP ONE’S LEGS
vb. 1706 – to remain standing or walking
• KEEP ONE’S LIP BUTTONED
vb. 20C sl. – to keep quiet
• KEEP ONE’S MARBLE GOOD
vb. 1909 Aust. & NZ sl. – to ingratiate oneself
• KEEP ONE’S NOSE CLEAN
vb. 1887 sl., orig. US – to follow rules and regulations meticulously so as to avoid any blame; to be, remain, or become honest; to behave well or satisfactorily, often implying avoidance of involvement in criminal activity
• KEEP ONE’S PECKER UP
vb. 1853 Brit. sl. – to retain one’s courage
• KEEP ONE’S SHIRT ON
vb. 1854 sl., orig. US – to keep one’s composure, to remain calm or relaxed
• KEEP ONE’S SIGHTING EYE OUT
vb. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – to watch for an opportunity
• KEEP ONE’S SKILLET GREASY
vb. 1942 Amer. dial. – to make a living; to live well
• KEEP ONE’S SMOKEHOUSE GREASY
vb. 1984 Amer. dial. – to make a living; to live well
• KEEP ONE’S TOP EYE OPEN
vb. 1828 Amer. dial. – to keep a sharp lookout
• KEEP ON TRUCKING
vb. 1972 US sl. – to persevere
• KEEP OPEN DOORS
vb. 1841 – to provide hospitality or entertainment for visitors generally
• KEEP OPEN HOUSE
vb. 1530 – to provide hospitality or entertainment for visitors generally
• KEEP OPEN HOUSEHOLD
vb. a1548 obs. – to provide hospitality or entertainment for visitors generally
• KEEP OPEN TABLE
vb. 1720 – to provide hospitality or entertainment for visitors generally
• KEEP QUALITY HOURS
vb. 1875 Eng. dial. – to dine late
• KEEPS!
int. 1956 Amer. dial.- an exclamation to stake a claim
• KEEP SHAFT IN MELL
vb. 1824 Sc. – to keep straight in any course; to keep in good health; to carry on one’s business prosperously; to make both ends meet
• KEEP SKETCH
vb. 1996 Irish sl. – to keep watch
• KEEP THE CENSUS DOWN
vb. 1. 19C Brit. sl. – to abort a foetus
vb. 2. 19C Brit. sl. – to masturbate
• KEEP THE HANK IN ONE’S OWN HAND
vb. 1882 Sc. & Eng. dial. – to be master of the situation; to hold one’s own
• KEEP THE LINE
vb. E19 sl. – to behave properly
• KEEP THE LINES OPEN
vb. 20C sl. – to maintain communication
• KEEP THE PARTY CLEAN
vb. 1930s sl. – to avoid obscenity or ‘dirty’ stories
• KEEP THE TAIL IN WATER
vb. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – to prosper
• KEEP THE TAMBOURINE A-ROLLING
vb. M19 sl. – to keep things cheerful or lively
• KEEP THE WIRES HOT
vb. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – to telegraph incessantly
• KEEP TO ONE’S THREAP
vb. 1819 Sc. – to adhere to an assertion or purpose
• KEEP TOUT
vb. E19 sl. – to spy on, to keep a look-out
• KEEP-UP
n. 1970s African-American sl. – anyone who looks after the home; a maid
(verbs as ‘keep up’)
vb. 1. 1678 obs. – to keep secret or undivulged
vb. 2. 1704 obs. – to stay within doors; to put up or stop at
• KEEP UP TO THE COLLAR
vb. 1. M19 sl. – to stay hard at work, or to make someone else stay hard at work
vb. 2. 1910s sl. – to be overwhelmed by one’s work
• KEEP UP YOUR FRONT TO MAKE YOUR GAME
phr. 1960s Amer. sl. – don’t quit; don’t give up
• KEEP-WORTHY
adj. 1830 – worth keeping; worthy of being kept
• KEEP YOUR ASS CLEAN
phr. 1961 Amer. sl. – stay out of trouble
• KEEP YOUR BRITCHES ON!
int. 1965 Amer. dial. – used to tell someone to be patient
• KEEP YOUR HAIR ON!
int. M19 sl. – calm down! don’t lose control
• KEEP YOUR HAND ON YOUR HA’PENNY TILL THE RIGHT MAN TURNS UP
phr. 1900s sl. – advice to young women to retain their virginity until the advent of ‘Mr. Right’
• KEEP YOUR NOSE OUT OF MY BEESWAX
phr. 1965 Amer. dial. – mind your own business
• KEEP YOUR NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE
vb. 1828 UK – to be studying hard, working hard
• KEEP YOUR PECKER UP!
int. E19 Brit. colloq. – ‘keep your chin up!’
• KEEP YOUR WOOL ON!
int. M19 sl. – calm down! don’t lose control
• KEEP YOW
vb. 1942 Aust. sl. – to keep watch, be observant; to keep a look-out, esp. in a criminal context
• KEERFUL
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – careful
• KEEST
n. 1802 Sc. – sap, substance, vigour
• KEESTER
n. 1. 1882 US sl. – a suitcase or satchel; a handbag; a burglar’s tool case, a salesman’s sample case, etc.; a valise, a chest or box
n. 2. 1913 US sl. – a safe
n. 3. E20 US criminals’ sl. – the female genitals
n. 4. 1931 US sl. – the buttocks
• KEET
n. M19 Aust. sl. – a parakeet
• KEEVA
adj. 1990s US students’ sl. – excellent, worthy of admiration
• KEEZER’S GHOST!
int. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – an ejaculation
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Lexicophilia 