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Dickens

 - 4 dictionary results

dick⋅ens

[dik-inz]
–noun
devil; deuce (usually prec. by the and often used in exclamations and as a mild imprecation): The dickens you say! What the dickens does he want?

Origin:
1590–1600; appar. a fanciful use of Dicken, form of Dick, proper name

Dick⋅ens

[dik-inz]
–noun
Charles (John Huf⋅fam)[huhf-uhm] , (“Boz”), 1812–70, English novelist.

Dick⋅en⋅si⋅an [di-ken-zee-uhn] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Dickens
dick·ens   (dĭk'ənz)   
n.   Informal
  1. A severe reprimand or expression of anger: gave me the dickens for being late.

  2. Used as an intensive: What in the dickens is that?


[Alteration of devil (influenced by the name Dickens).]
Dick·ens   (dĭk'ĭnz)   
British writer known for his tales of Victorian life and times. His works, which first appeared in serialized form, include The Pickwick Papers (1836-1837), Oliver Twist (1837-1838), and David Copperfield (1849-1850).
Dick·en'si·an (dĭ-kěn'zē-ən) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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