dashes
|dash/es|
/ˈdæʃɪz/
(dash)
quick movement
Etymology
'dash' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'daschen', where the root meant 'to strike, smash'.
'dash' changed from Middle English 'daschen' (meaning 'strike, break') and entered Modern English as 'dash' with senses of both 'strike' and 'move quickly'.
Initially, it meant 'to strike or break', but over time it evolved into current senses including 'move quickly' and 'a small amount/short stroke' (as a noun).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
small measured amounts (plural of 'dash'), especially of liquids or seasonings added to food or drink.
She adds two dashes of hot sauce to her soup.
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Noun 2
short, fast runs or sprints (plural of 'dash').
His training includes several dashes across the field.
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Noun 3
punctuation marks (plural of 'dash'), i.e., the horizontal marks used in writing—em dash, en dash, or the simple dash.
The sentence contains two dashes to set off the clause.
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Noun 4
signals in Morse code; the long signals as opposed to dots (plural of 'dash').
The distress signal had more dashes than dots.
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Verb 1
third-person singular present of 'dash': to run or move quickly and suddenly.
He dashes out the door whenever he hears the bus arriving.
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Last updated: 2025/11/27 10:30