dixie

¹ American  

[dik-see] / ˈdɪk si /

noun

Indian English.

1. a large iron pot, especially a 12-gallon camp kettle used by the British Army.

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Dixie ² American  

[dik-see] / ˈdɪk si /

noun

1. Also called Dixie Land.  Also called Dixieland.  the southern states of the United States, especially those that were formerly part of the Confederacy.

2. (italics) any of several songs with this name, especially the minstrel song (1859) by D. D. Emmett, popular as a Confederate war song.

3. a female given name.

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adjective

1. of, from, or characteristic of the southern states of the United States.

idioms

1. whistle Dixie, to indulge in unrealistically optimistic fantasies.

Dixie ¹ British  

/ ˈdɪksɪ /

noun

1. Also called: Dixieland.  the southern states of the US; the states that joined the Confederacy during the Civil War

2. a song adopted as a marching tune by the Confederate states during the American Civil War

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the southern states of the US

dixie ² British  

/ ˈdɪksɪ /

noun

1. military a large metal pot for cooking, brewing tea, etc

2. a mess tin

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dixie ³ British  

/ ˈdɪksɪ /

noun

1. dialect a lookout

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“Dixie” Cultural  

1. An American song of the nineteenth century. It was used to build enthusiasm for the South during the Civil War and still is treated this way in the southern states. It was written for use in the theater by a northerner, Daniel Decatur Emmett. As usually sung today, “Dixie” begins:

   I wish I was in the land of cotton;

   Old times there are not forgotten:

   Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

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Usage

Why is Dixie trending? On June 25, 2020, searches for Dixie increased 2,048% compared to the previous week after the popular country music band the Dixie Chicks announced it was changing its name to just the Chicks.

Etymology

Origin of dixie¹

1895–1900; < Hindi dēgcī, diminutive of dēgcā pot

Origin of Dixie²

1855–60, often said to be (Mason-)Dix(on line) + -ie

Example Sentences

He lifted the lid from the dixie again and sniffed.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque

After dinner I tried to wash out the dixie with cold water and a rag, and learned another maxim of the trenches—"It can't be done."

From Over the Top by Empey, Arthur Guy

When it did come you had to fetch it in a huge "dixie" and grope with your hands at the bits of gristle and bone which floated in a lot of greasy water.

From At Suvla Bay Being the notes and sketches of scenes, characters and adventures of the Dardanelles campaign, made by John Hargrave ("White Fox") while serving with the 32nd field ambulance, X division, Mediterranean expeditionary force, during the great war. by Hargrave, John

I filled the dixie with water from an old squeaking well, and once again lay down in the straw.

From Over the Top by Empey, Arthur Guy

I had managed to fish a lump of bone with a scrag of tough meat on it from the lukewarm slosh in our "dixie."

From At Suvla Bay Being the notes and sketches of scenes, characters and adventures of the Dardanelles campaign, made by John Hargrave ("White Fox") while serving with the 32nd field ambulance, X division, Mediterranean expeditionary force, during the great war. by Hargrave, John