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Humphrey

[huhm-free]
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noun
  1. Duke of Gloucester, 1391–1447, English soldier and statesman (youngest son of Henry IV).
  2. Doris,1895–1958, U.S. dancer, choreographer, and teacher.
  3. Hubert H(oratio),1911–78, U.S. politician: vice president 1965–69.
  4. a male given name: from Germanic words meaning “high” and “peace.”
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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for humphrey

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • "Sir Humphrey Tennant of Ashby may till his own fields for me," he cried.

    The White Company

    Arthur Conan Doyle

  • "Stint it, Humphrey," said the tall squire, with a burst of laughter.

    The White Company

    Arthur Conan Doyle

  • O my poor Humphrey, where have you been and what has been done to you?

    In the Days of Drake

    J. S. Fletcher

  • Did you mark his face, Humphrey,—how white it turned when he set eyes on us?

    In the Days of Drake

    J. S. Fletcher

  • I promised Miss Humphrey this noon to give Lucy a message from her.

British Dictionary definitions for humphrey

Humphrey

noun
  1. Duke Humphrey See Gloucester (def. 1)
  2. Hubert Horatio. 1911–78, US statesman; vice-president of the US under President Johnson (1965–69)
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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

Word Origin and History for humphrey

Humphrey

masc. proper name, from Old English Hunfrið, probably from Proto-Germanic *hun "strength" + Old English frið "peace." To dine with Duke Humphrey (17c.) meant to go without a meal, though the reason for the expression now is obscure.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper