bloody

== English == === Alternative forms === bloudy (obsolete) bl**dy === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈblʌ.di/ (India) IPA(key): /ˈblɜ.ɖiː/ (Northumbria) IPA(key): /ˈblɪ.diː/ Rhymes: -ʌdi === Etymology 1 === From Middle English blody, blodi, from Old English blōdiġ, blōdeġ (“bloody”), from Proto-West Germanic *blōdag, from Proto-Germanic *blōþagaz (“bloody”), equivalent to blood +‎ -y. Cognate with Saterland Frisian bläidich, blöidig, blouderch (“bloody”), West Frisian bloedich (“bloody”), Dutch bloedig (“bloody”), German Low German blödig (“bloody”), German blutig (“bloody”), Danish blodig (“bloody”), Swedish blodig (“bloody”), Faroese blóðigur (“bloody”), Icelandic blóðugur (“bloody”). See Wikipedia for thoughts on sense evolution. ==== Adjective ==== bloody (comparative bloodier, superlative bloodiest) Covered in blood. Synonyms: bleeding, bloodied, gory, sanguinolent Characterised by bloodshed. (informal, UK, Ireland, Commonwealth, Hawaii, mildly vulgar) Used as an intensifier. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:damned 1916 May 31, David Beatty during the Battle of Jutland: There seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today. 2007, James MacFarlane, Avenge My Kin, Book 2: A Time of Testing, page 498 “You bloody fool, I could′ve stabbed you in the heart,” David said in mock anger, and then smiled widely. (dated) Badly behaved; unpleasant; beastly. ===== Usage notes ===== As an intensifier in Commonwealth usage, bloody is sometimes considered a swear word, and it was formerly considered one of the strongest profanities in British English (approximately between 1750 and 1920). Its offensiveness decreased significantly over the 20th century, and a 2021 survey by OFCOM found most members of the British public considered it mild and "unlikely to cause concern in most circumstances". ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== Adverb ==== bloody (comparative more bloody, superlative most bloody) (informal, Australia, UK, India, Ireland, Newfoundland, New Zealand, South Africa, mildly vulgar) Used to express anger, annoyance, or shock, or for emphasis. Synonyms: bloody well, bally, blasted, bleeding, blooming ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === From Middle English *blodien, *blodegen (attested as blodeke, bi-blodgi), from Old English blōdgian, blōdegian (“to bloody, make bloody”), from Proto-West Germanic *blōdagōn (“to make bloody”), from Proto-Germanic *blōþagōną (“to make bloody”). Cognate with Middle High German bluotigen (“to make bloody”), Swedish blodga (“to make bloody”), Icelandic blóðga (“to bloody”). ==== Verb ==== bloody (third-person singular simple present bloodies, present participle bloodying, simple past and past participle bloodied) (transitive) To stain with blood. (transitive) To draw blood from (one's opponent) in a fight. (transitive) To demonstrably harm (the cause of an opponent). (Can we add an example for this sense?) ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 3 === Clipping of bloody mary. ==== Noun ==== bloody (plural bloodies) (informal) Ellipsis of bloody mary. === References === === Anagrams === old boy