Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.a contemptuous term used to refer to a woman considered as a sex object.
verb (used with object)
to make a long, deep cut in; slash.
Origin of gash
1
1540–50; alteration (with -sh perhaps from slash1) of Middle Englishgarsen < Old Frenchgarser, jarsier (Frenchgercer) to scarify, wound < Vulgar Latin*charaxāre < Greekcharássein to scratch, notch
Related formsun·gashed, adjective
Usage note
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.
1540s, from Middle English garce (early 13c.), from Old North French garser "to scarify, cut, slash" (Old French *garse), apparently from Vulgar Latin *charassare, from Greek kharassein "engrave," from PIE *gher- "to scrape, scratch" (cf. character). Loss of -r- is characteristic (see ass (n.2)). Slang use for "vulva" dates to mid-1700s.
v.
1560s, alteration of garsen (late 14c.), from Old North French garser "to cut, slash" (see gash (n.)). Related: Gashed; gashing.
