dogberry

¹

[ dawg-ber-ee, -buh-ree, dog- ]

noun

, plural dog·ber·ries.

1. the berry or fruit of any of various plants, as the European dogwood, Cornus sanguinea, the chokeberry, Aronia arbutifolia, or the mountain ash, Sorbus americana.
2. the plant itself.
3. any of several plants, especially the dog rose, bearberry, and guelder rose.

Dogberry

²

[ dawg-ber-ee, -buh-ree, dog- ]

noun

, plural Dog·ber·rys

1. a foolish constable in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.
2. any foolish, blundering, or stupid official.

dogberry

¹

/ -brɪ; ˈdɒɡˌbɛrɪ; -bərɪ /

noun

1. any of certain plants that have berry-like fruits, such as the European dogwood or the bearberry
2. the fruit of any of these plants

dogberry

²

/ -brɪ; -bərɪ; ˈdɒɡˌbɛrɪ /

noun

1. sometimes capital a foolish, meddling, and usually old official

Derived Forms

• ˈdogberryˌism, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dogberry¹

First recorded in 1545–55; dog + berry

Word History and Origins

Origin of dogberry¹

after Dogberry, character in Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing (1598)

Example Sentences

Judge Dogberry ruled, "This is flat perjury to call a prince's Brother, villain."

From Project Gutenberg

These were the true successors of Dogberry; often infirm or aged persons appointed to keep them out of the workhouse.

From Project Gutenberg

How right was wise old Dogberry in his dictum that reading and writing come by nature.

From Project Gutenberg

Dogberry and Verges, two ignorant conceited constables, who greatly mutilate their words.

From Project Gutenberg

Shakspeare has, by this 'one touch of nature,' made Dogberry kin to the whole world.

From Project Gutenberg