gash

First recorded in 1540–50; alteration of Middle English garsen, garcen “to make medical incisions” (with alteration of s to sh after r), from Old French garser, jarsier “to scarify, wound,” from unrecoreded Vulgar Latin charaxāre, from Greek charássein “to scratch, notch”; see origin at character

usage note for gash

When referring to a female, this term is used with disparaging intent and perceived as highly insulting. The word cunt shows a similar transfer of meaning from a woman’s genitalia to the woman herself.

OTHER WORDS FROM gash

un·gashed, adjective

Words nearby gash

gas gangrene, gas gangrene antitoxin, gas giant, gas-guzzler, gas-guzzler tax, gash, gasholder, gashouse, gasiform, gasify, gas jet

Other definitions for gash (2 of 3)

gash²

[ gash ]

/ gæʃ /

adjective Chiefly Scot.

wise, sagacious.

neat; well-dressed; well-groomed.

Origin of gash

First recorded in 1700–10; origin uncertain

Other definitions for gash (3 of 3)

gash³

[ gash ]

/ gæʃ /

adjective Scot. Archaic.

dreary or gloomy in appearance.

Origin of gash

First recorded in 1580–90; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use gash in a sentence

Necks are gashed using broken household items—you know, the usual.
Halloween Kills Sags Under the Weight of Its Own Mythology|Stephanie Zacharek|October 14, 2021|Time
After gashing his head one morning in the fall of 2011 after taking an excessive amount of his antidepressant and his daughter’s muscle relaxants, Paul Brundage walked outside, fell into a retention pond, and drowned.
How the VA Is Pushing Vets Into the Opioid Abyss|Alexa Beyer|May 31, 2021|The Daily Beast
Additionally, defending the run is one of Green Bay’s weaknesses, which was on full display in last year’s NFC title game, when the San Francisco 49ers gashed the Packers’ defense during a lopsided win.
Four big questions for the NFL’s conference championship games|John Clayton|January 19, 2021|Washington Post
There was one moment where Bryan fell and landed on his watch, which hit his head and gave him this huge gash.
From ‘Breaking Bad’ to Benjamin Franklin: Dean Norris on Life After Hank Schrader|Marlow Stern|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He has had operations on both knees, and they had to put him under anesthesia to clean a long gash in his left thigh.
Gordie Howe Hockey’s Greatest War Horse|W.C. Heinz|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is a gash across his forehead, a cut on his lip, small bruises on his cheek and ear, but they are all surface.
Inside a Home Funeral|Melissa Roberts Weidman|February 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He was lucky his injuries were minor, the worst being the 40 stitches needed for the gash on his leg.
Suicide Crisis: Why the Military Needs Mandatory Mental-Health Services|Marjorie Morrison|September 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Zimmerman, 28, suffered a broken nose, a gash to his head, and other injuries, according to Sanford police reports.
George Zimmerman’s Account of Fight With Trayvon Martin Questioned|Allison Samuels|March 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And a rampant ache in my head, seconded by a medium-sized gash in the scalp, didn't make for an access of optimism at that moment.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
The white gash looked like a wide strip of paper pasted down the stick of ruined timber.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
With one incision Balsamo separated the vertebral column a couple of inches from the brain, and opened a yawning gash.
Balsamo, The Magician|Alexander Dumas
A deep gash in a man's face made him better looking, for it showed that he had plenty of courage.
Ways of War and Peace|Delia Austrian
There was a ragged gash across the back where the bird's beak had torn it, but no blood oozed from the wound.
Masterpieces of Mystery, Vol. 1 (of 4)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for gash (1 of 2)

gash¹

/ (ɡæʃ) /

verb

(tr) to make a long deep cut or wound in; slash

noun

a long deep cut or wound

Word Origin for gash

C16: from Old French garser to scratch, wound, from Vulgar Latin charissāre (unattested), from Greek kharassein to scratch

British Dictionary definitions for gash (2 of 2)

gash²

/ (ɡæʃ) /

adjective

slang surplus to requirements; unnecessary, extra, or spare

Word Origin for gash

C20: of unknown origin

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

Medical definitions for gash

gash

[ găsh ]

To make a long, deep cut in; slash deeply.

A long, deep cut.

A deep flesh wound.

gash

Origin of gash

usage note for gash

OTHER WORDS FROM gash

Words nearby gash

Other definitions for gash (2 of 3)

Origin of gash

Other definitions for gash (3 of 3)

Origin of gash

Words related to gash

How to use gash in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gash (1 of 2)

Word Origin for gash

British Dictionary definitions for gash (2 of 2)

Word Origin for gash

Medical definitions for gash