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Dummies

 - 9 dictionary results

dum⋅my

[duhm-ee] noun, plural -mies, adjective, verb, -mied, -my⋅ing.
–noun
1. a representation or copy of something, as for displaying to indicate appearance: a display of lipstick dummies made of colored plastic.
2. a representation of a human figure, as for displaying clothes in store windows.
3. Informal. a stupid person; dolt.
4. a person who has nothing to say or who takes no active part in affairs.
5. one put forward to act for others while ostensibly acting for oneself.
6. Slang.
a. Offensive. a person who lacks the power of speech.
b. a person who is characteristically and habitually silent.
7. Bridge.
a. the declarer's partner, whose hand is exposed and played by the declarer.
b. the hand of cards so exposed.
c. a game so played.
d. an imaginary player represented by an exposed hand that is played by and serves as partner to one of the players.
8. British. pacifier (def. 2).
9. Printing. sheets folded and made up to show the size, shape, form, sequence, and general style of a contemplated piece of printing.
10. a rammer for pushing out dents in lead pipe.
11. Computers. an artificial address, instruction, or other datum fed into a computer only to fulfill prescribed conditions and not affecting operations for solving problems.
12. Military. a nonexplosive bomb used for practice exercises.
13. Dentistry. pontic.
–adjective
14. noting or pertaining to an imitation, representation, or copy.
15. counterfeit; sham; fictitious.
16. put forward to act for others while ostensibly acting for oneself.
17. Cards. played with a dummy.
–verb (used with object)
18. Printing. to prepare a dummy of (often fol. by up): The designer dummied up the book so that they could study the format.
19. to represent in a dummy (often fol. by in): to dummy in an illustration.
20. dummy up, Informal. to keep silent; refuse to answer: If anybody asks you, just dummy up.

Origin:
1590–1600; 1915–20, Americanism for def. 20; dumb + -y 3

pon⋅tic

[pon-tik]
–noun Dentistry.
an artificial tooth in a bridge.
Also called dummy.


Origin:
1930–35; < L pont- (s. of pōns) bridge + -ic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Dummies
dum·my   (dŭm'ē)   
n.   pl. dum·mies
  1. An imitation of a real or original object, intended to be used as a practical substitute.

    1. A mannequin used in displaying clothes.

    2. A figure of a person or an animal manipulated by a ventriloquist.

    3. A stuffed or pasteboard figure used as a target.

    4. Football A heavy stuffed cylindrical bag used for blocking and tackling practice.

    5. One of a set of model pages with text and illustrations pasted into place to direct the printer. Also called dummy page.

    6. A set of bound blank pages used as a model to show the size and general appearance of a book being published.

    7. The partner in bridge who exposes his or her hand to be played by the declarer.

    8. The hand thus exposed.

  2. A stupid person; a dolt.

  3. A silent or taciturn person.

  4. A person or an agency secretly in the service of another.

  5. Printing

    1. One of a set of model pages with text and illustrations pasted into place to direct the printer. Also called dummy page.

    2. A set of bound blank pages used as a model to show the size and general appearance of a book being published.

    3. The partner in bridge who exposes his or her hand to be played by the declarer.

    4. The hand thus exposed.

  6. Games

    1. The partner in bridge who exposes his or her hand to be played by the declarer.

    2. The hand thus exposed.

  7. Computer Science A character or other piece of information entered into a computer only to meet prescribed conditions, such as word length, and having no effect on operations.

adj.  
  1. Simulating or replacing something but lacking its function: a dummy pocket.

  2. Serving as a front or cover for another: a dummy corporation.

  3. Games Played with a dummy.

  4. Computer Science Entered or provided only to meet prescribed conditions: a dummy variable.

tr.v.   dum·mied, dum·my·ing, dum·mies Printing
To make a model of (a publication or page).
Phrasal Verb(s):
dummy up Slang To keep silence; clam up.

[From dumb.]
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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Cultural Dictionary

dummy

In a corporation, one who stands in for a real director or who serves as a nominal director during the organization of the corporation until the stockholders can elect directors.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary
dummy

  1. n.
    an empty liquor or beer bottle. : Toss your dummies over here, and I'll put them in the bin.
  2. n.
    a cigarette butt. : The guy tossed a dummy out the window of his car.
  3. n.
    a stupid person. (Rude and derogatory.) : Don't be such a dummy.
  4. n.
    the penis. (Usually objectionable.) : He held his hands over his little dummy and ran for the bedroom.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

dummy 
1598, "mute person," from dumb (q.v.). Extended by 1845 to "figure representing a person." Used in card games (originally whist) since 1736.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2dummy
Function: adjective
: being a placebo <39 of the youngsters who had received dummy shots had developed chickenpox —AnastasiaToufexis>

Main Entry: pon·tic
Pronunciation: 'pänt-ik
Function: noun
: an artifical tooth on a dental bridge
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

pontic pon·tic (pŏn'tĭk)
n.
An artificial tooth on a fixed partial denture.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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