cosh

¹

[kosh]

noun

1. a blackjack; bludgeon.

verb (used with object)

1. to hit on the head with a cosh.

cosh

²

[kosh]

noun

Mathematics.

1. hyperbolic cosine.

cosh

¹

/ kɒʃ /

noun

1. a blunt weapon, often made of hard rubber; bludgeon

2. an attack with such a weapon

verb

1. to hit with such a weapon, esp on the head

cosh

²

/ ˈkɒsˈeɪtʃ, kɒʃ /

noun

1. hyperbolic cosine; a hyperbolic function, cosh z = 1/ 2 (e z + e –z ), related to cosine by the expression cosh i z = cos z, where i = √–1

cosh

1. Abbreviation of hyperbolic cosine

Word History and Origins

Origin of cosh¹

First recorded in 1865–70; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Romani kosh, koshter “piece of wood,stick,” akin to Sanskrit kāṣṭham

Origin of cosh²

First recorded in 1870–75; cos(ine) + h(yperbolic)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cosh¹

C19: from Romany kosh, from koshter skewer, stick

Origin of cosh²

C19: from _cos ( _ine ) + _h ( _yperbolic )

Example Sentences

An ex-footballer with dementia who died after falling from a height had been "chemically coshed, deprived of his liberty, abused and bruised... stripped of his dignity" while in NHS care, his family said.

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Ewing travelled with wedding rings, and was also carrying a knife and a wooden cosh.

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Councils have been under the cosh when it comes to funding, with growing demand for services like social care, support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and housing.

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Everton have been under the cosh a lot this year and it's good to see him step up.

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Australia had been under the cosh for seven or eight minutes but hadn’t conceded and went into the break 7-3 down.

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Related Words

• bash 
• bludgeon 
• clobber 
• pummel 
• whack