derry

[ der-ee ]

/ ˈdɛr i /

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noun, plural der·ries.

a meaningless refrain or chorus in old songs.

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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

derrière, derring-do, derringer, derris, 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. 2021

How to use derry in a sentence

Among the men discharged were several who had been at Derry, and who had received pensions since the abandonment of the post.
Ireland Under the Tudors, Vol. II (of 3)|Richard Bagwell
Derry, the little unconscious cause of it all, lay quiet, with Mary watching him.
The Heart of Rachael|Kathleen Norris
“Old man Willard held out the marble mitt that-a time, Derry,” said he.
The Terms of Surrender|Louis Tracy
But it is all part and parcel of my plan, Derry, which rests on your reply to one small question.
The Terms of Surrender|Louis Tracy

Hugh Marten conspired with my father—hired him, I might rather say—to drive you and me apart, Derry.
The Terms of Surrender|Louis Tracy

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