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

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

From BBC

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.

From BBC

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

A 69-year-old man who armed himself with a wooden cosh and joined a "mob" which took part in the destruction of the library was jailed on Thursday for two years and eight months.

From BBC

Related Words

• bash 
• bludgeon 
• clobber 
• pummel 
• whack