doss

American  

[dos] / dɒs /

noun

1. a place to sleep, especially in a cheap lodging house.

2. sleep.

   I had some great doss last night, and I'm feeling pretty good today.

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verb (used without object)

1. to sleep or lie down in any convenient place.

   We dossed in the park last night, but it started to rain in the early morning.

doss British  

/ dɒs /

verb

1. to sleep, esp in a dosshouse

2. to pass time aimlessly

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noun

1. a bed, esp in a dosshouse

2. a slang word for sleep

3. short for dosshouse

4. a task or pastime requiring little effort

   making a film is a bit of a doss

Etymology

Origin of doss

First recorded in 1775–85; origin obscure; perhaps from French dos, from Latin dorsum, dossum “back, ridge”

Example Sentences

"The weather means they have not had much to do but doss around eating good grass," Mrs McGrath said.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2021

“I was raised with the idea that the arts were a doss – but the arts are vital,” he continues.

From The Guardian • Dec. 30, 2016

The newcomers doss down in Atma's former police station.

From The Guardian • Jul. 25, 2012

One time, Pluto Noak opened the emergency exit for a doss.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

“Today’s going to be a real doss, I reckon.”

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• cot
• pallet