Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

darner

[dahr-ner]
See more synonyms for darner on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a person or thing that darns.
  2. any of numerous odonate insects of the family Aeshnidae, comprising the largest dragonflies.
Show More

Origin of darner

First recorded in 1605–15; darn1 + -er1

darn2

[dahrn]Informal.
adjective, adverb
  1. darned.
Show More
verb (used with object)
  1. to curse; damn: Darn that pesky fly!
Show More
Idioms
  1. give a darn. damn(def 14).
Show More

Origin of darn2

First recorded in 1775–85; see origin at darned
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for darner

Historical Examples

  • "No, they don't," rejoined Mr. Darner, in a half-confidential way.

    Tony Butler

    Charles James Lever

  • The darner must decide for herself which method for holding the work she will use.

    The Art of Modern Lace Making

    The Butterick Publishing Co.

  • "We are sure you meant things for the best, Mr. Darner," said Jerry's mother.

    The Circus Comes to Town

    Lebbeus Mitchell

  • "He 's from Ireland, Mr. Darner," whispered the porter, with a half-kindly impulse to make an apology for such ignorance.

    Tony Butler

    Charles James Lever

  • Those who have written of Mrs. Darner's art have taken extreme views.

British Dictionary definitions for darner

darn1

verb
  1. to mend (a hole or a garment) with a series of crossing or interwoven stitches
Show More
noun
  1. a patch of darned work on a garment
  2. the process or act of darning
Show More
Derived Formsdarner, noundarning, noun

Word Origin

C16: probably from French (Channel Islands dialect) darner; compare Welsh, Breton darn piece

darn2

interjection, adjective, adverb, noun
  1. a euphemistic word for damn (def. 1), damn (def. 2), damn (def. 4), damn (def. 4), damn (def. 15)
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

Word Origin and History for darner

darn

v.

"to mend" c.1600, perhaps from Middle French darner "mend," from darne "piece," from Breton darn "piece, fragment, part." Alternative etymology is from obsolete dern (see dern). Related: Darned; darning.

Show More

darn

interj.

tame curse word, 1781, American English euphemism for damn, said to have originated in New England when swearing was a punishable offense; if so, its spread was probably influenced by 'tarnal, short for Eternal, as in By the Eternal (God), favorite exclamation of Andrew Jackson, among others. Related: darned (past participle adjective, 1806); darndest (superlative, 1844).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper