derry

[ der-ee ]
/ ˈdɛr i /

noun, plural der·ries.

a meaningless refrain or chorus in old songs.

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DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
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decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Also called der·ry-down [der-ee-doun] /ˈdɛr iˌdaʊn/.

Origin of derry

First recorded in 1545–55; of obscure origin

Words nearby derry

derring-do, derringer, derris, derrière, derro, derry, dertrum, derv, dervish, derwent, derwentwater

Definition for derry (2 of 2)

Derry
[ der-ee ]
/ ˈdɛr i /

noun

Londonderry(defs 1, 2).
a town in SE New Hampshire.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for derry

British Dictionary definitions for derry (1 of 3)

derry1
/ (ˈdɛrɪ) /

noun plural -ries

have a derry on Australian and NZ to have a prejudice or grudge against

Word Origin for derry

C19: probably from derry down, a refrain in some folk songs, alluding to the phrase have a down on; see down 1

British Dictionary definitions for derry (2 of 3)

derry2
/ (ˈdɛrɪ) /

noun plural -ries

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

Word Origin for derry

C20: shortened from derelict

British Dictionary definitions for derry (3 of 3)

Derry
/ (ˈdɛrɪ) /

noun

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