Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

bluenose

[bloo-nohz]
See more synonyms for bluenose on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a puritanical person; prude.
  2. (initial capital letter) Also Blue Nose. Canadian. an inhabitant of the Maritime Provinces, especially of Nova Scotia.
  3. Nautical Slang.
    1. a sailing vessel of Nova Scotia.
    2. a seaman on such a vessel.
Show More

Origin of bluenose

1780–85 (def 2, 3); 1925–30, Americanism (def 1); blue + nose; (def 1) cf. blue law, etc.; (def 2, 3) originally a derisive name for a person residing in Nova Scotia before the Loyalists' arrival; allegedly so called from a variety of potato with a bluish tip, though there is no certain evidence for this or any of various other explanations of the name
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for bluenose

Historical Examples

  • Our Bluenose mate now thinks he can get more work from his canvas.

    All Afloat

    William Wood

  • In a flash the Bluenose had him naped, slung, and flying across the rail.

    All Afloat

    William Wood

  • It was just as Bluenose concluded this speech that the young ladies entered the room.

    The Lifeboat

    R.M. Ballantyne

  • This hovel belonged jointly to old Jeph and Captain Bluenose.

    The Lifeboat

    R.M. Ballantyne

  • The skipper of the “Butterfly” was a friend of Bluenose, and knew Tommy.

    The Lifeboat

    R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for bluenose

bluenose

noun
  1. US slang a puritanical or prudish person
  2. (often capital) informal a native or inhabitant of Nova Scotia
Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012