cess

1
[ ses ]

noun
  1. British. a tax, assessment, or lien.

  2. (in Scotland) a land tax.

  1. (in Ireland) a military assessment.

  2. (in India) an import or sales tax on a commodity.

verb (used with object)
  1. British. to tax; assess.

Origin of cess

1
1400–50; late Middle English; aphetic variant of obsolete assess assessment, noun use of assess (v.)

Words Nearby cess

Other definitions for cess (2 of 2)

cess2
[ ses ]

nounIrish English Informal.
  1. luck (usually used in the expression bad cess to): Bad cess to them!

Origin of cess

2
First recorded in 1855–60; perhaps aphetic variant of success

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How to use cess in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for cess (1 of 3)

cess1

/ (sɛs) /


noun
  1. British any of several special taxes, such as a land tax in Scotland

  2. (formerly, in Ireland)

    • the obligation to provide the soldiers and household of the lord deputy with supplies at fixed prices

    • any military exaction

verb
  1. (tr) British to tax or assess for taxation

  2. (formerly in Ireland) to impose (soldiers) upon a population, to be supported by them

Origin of cess

1
C16: short for assessment

British Dictionary definitions for cess (2 of 3)

cess2

/ (sɛs) /


noun
  1. an Irish slang word for luck bad cess to you!

Origin of cess

2
C19: probably from cess 1 (sense 2)

British Dictionary definitions for cess (3 of 3)

cess3

/ (sɛs) /


noun
  1. short for cesspool

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