dun

¹

[ duhn ]

verb (used with object)

, dunned, dun·ning.

1. to make repeated and insistent demands upon, especially for the payment of a debt.

noun

1. a person, especially a creditor, who duns another.
2. a demand for payment, especially a written one.

dun

²

[ duhn ]

adjective

1. dull, grayish brown.
2. dark; gloomy.

noun

1. a dun color.
2. a dun-colored horse with a black mane and tail.
3. mayfly ( def 1 ).
4. Angling. dun fly ( def ).

dun

¹

/ dʌn /

noun

1. a brownish-grey colour
2. a horse of this colour
3. angling
   1. an immature adult mayfly (the subimago), esp one of the genus Ephemera
   2. an artificial fly imitating this or a similar fly

adjective

1. of a dun colour
2. dark and gloomy

dun

²

/ dʌn /

verb

1. tr to press or importune (a debtor) for the payment of a debt

noun

1. a person, esp a hired agent, who importunes another for the payment of a debt
2. a demand for payment, esp one in writing

Other Words From

• dunness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dun¹

First recorded in 1620–30; origin obscure

Origin of dun²

First recorded before 1000; Middle English don, dun(ne), Old English dun; cognate with Old Saxon dun; probably of Celtic origin; compare Irish donn “dark,” Welsh dwnn “brownish”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dun¹

Old English dunn; related to Old Norse dunna wild duck, Middle Irish doun dark; see dusk

Origin of dun²

C17: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The challenge was set by HSBC, sponsors of the Open Championship, and filmed at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club in Dublin.

From The Daily Beast

Cognizant, headquartered in New Jersey, grew out of a partnership between Dun & Bradstreet and an Indian firm.

From The Daily Beast

And the insurance fund run by the FDIC is replenishing itself without having to dun taxpayers.

From The Daily Beast

It looks inconspicuous enough on the outside with an ordinary gate and dun-colored walls, which blend with the surrounding houses.

From The Daily Beast

Local book festivals such as the Doon readings in Dehra Dun and the Kalaghoda festival in Mumbai are increasingly popular.

From The Daily Beast

Here the pair reached the "Dun Cow" and retired to their respective quarters.

From Project Gutenberg

My spurs fairly lifted the dun horse, and we scuttled in the opposite direction like a scared antelope.

From Project Gutenberg

My hand flew to mine as I jerked the dun up short, but I wasn't fast enough—and Hicks was too close.

From Project Gutenberg

And as if the shout had reached high heaven, that instant the dun clouds parted.

From Project Gutenberg

The tent had been old when Thyrsis got it, and as this was the third season he had used it, it was dark and dun of hue.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• annoy
• bother
• depress
• disturb
• fret
• irritate
• perturb
• plague
• trouble
• try
• unsettle
• upset