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• derry
  derry

  noun

  a meaningless refrain or chorus in old songs.
• Derry
  Derry

  noun

  Londonderry.

derry

¹ American  

[der-ee] / ˈdɛr i /

noun

plural

derries

1. a meaningless refrain or chorus in old songs.

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Derry ² American  

[der-ee] / ˈdɛr i /

noun

1. Londonderry.

2. a town in SE New Hampshire.

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Derry ¹ British  

/ ˈdɛrɪ /

noun

1. a district in NW Northern Ireland, in Co Londonderry. Pop: 106 456 (2003 est). Area: 387 sq km (149 sq miles)

2. another name for Londonderry

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derry ² British  

/ ˈdɛrɪ /

noun

1. to have a prejudice or grudge against

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derry ³ British  

/ ˈdɛrɪ /

noun

1. slang a derelict house, esp one used by tramps, drug addicts, etc

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Etymology

Origin of derry

First recorded in 1545–55; of obscure origin

Example Sentences

A "derry" - slang for a derelict building - offered an option to young people seeking an alternative to the "taxpaying nine-to-five" lifestyle, says Prof Cohen.

From BBC • Oct. 4, 2019

When he heard them stir he clapped his hands, and cried: ‘Hey! Come merry dol! derry dol! My hearties!’

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Then one of them said to his mate, Where shall we now our breakfast take, With a down, down, derry, derry, down!

From The Celtic Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 2, December 1875 A Monthly Periodical Devoted to the Literature, History, Antiquities, Folk Lore, Traditions, and the Social and Material Interests of the Celt at Home and Abroad by Macbain, Alexander

If "derry down," which has been said to be druidical, were judged of by the last song it went with, how old would be the Druids?

From Notes and Queries, Number 35, June 29, 1850 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Bell, George

"Good brother," they said, "we would give you full fain, But we have no more than enough for twain, Singing, hey down, ho down, down, derry down."

From Maid Marian by Peacock, Thomas Love