dumbledore
Americannoun
Usage
What does dumbledore mean? Dumbledore is an old British word for a bumblebee. It can also refer to the kind of beetle known as a cockchafer. Dumbledore originated as a term used in a regional British dialect, but it is now very rarely used. An even less common variant of the word is dumbledrane. Today, it is much more well-known as the last name of Albus Dumbledore, a character from the Harry Potter series of books. Example: We sat on the grass and watched busy dumbledores collecting pollen from flowers.
Etymology
Origin of dumbledore
First recorded in 1785–90; from dumble-, a combining form used for names of buzzing insects + dore, a variant spelling of dor 1 ( def. ); cf. bumble 2 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
W. I know ’tes; but vur aal that, straddlebob’s zo right a neyam vor ’n as dumbledore ez.
From English Dialects From the Eighth Century to the Present Day by Walter W. (Walter William) Skeat
Why, ye gurt zote vool, casn’t zee ’tes a dumbledore?
From English Dialects From the Eighth Century to the Present Day by Walter W. (Walter William) Skeat
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
