costard

American  

[kos-terd, kaw-sterd] / ˈkɒs tərd, ˈkɔ stərd /

noun

1. a large English variety of apple.

2. Archaic. the head.

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costard British  

/ ˈkʌstəd /

noun

1. an English variety of apple tree

2. the large ribbed apple of this tree

3. archaic a slang word for head

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Etymology

Origin of costard

1250–1300; Middle English, perhaps < Anglo-French, equivalent to coste rib ( see coast) + -ard -ard, alluding to the ridges or ribs of the variety

Example Sentences

"Brast your costard, have I? Well, it serves you right, for all your mischief. What are you up to, scuttling about behind the stage like a great rat?"

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood

As an avowed atheist he received no quarter, and he might fairly say with Wilfred Osbaldistone, 'It's hard I should get raps over the costard, and only pay you back in make-believes.'

From In the Name of the Bodleian and Other Essays by Birrell, Augustine

Hell-gate's somewhat too hot, somewhat too hot; the porter's a knave: I'd be loth to be damned for my conscience; I'll knock any body's costard, so I knock not there, my lord; hell-gates!

From A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume 14 of 15 by Dodsley, Robert

Whereby I have now once again given the costard monger his pees and his cues.

From Anna St. Ives by Holcroft, Thomas

His look went from brooder's beard to carper's skull, to remind, to chide them not unkindly, then to the baldpink lollard costard, guiltless though maligned.

From Ulysses by Joyce, James