joss

[ jos ]

/ dʒɒs /

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noun

a Chinese house idol or cult image.

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of joss

1705–15; <Chinese Pidgin English <Portuguese deos<Latin deus god

Words nearby joss

Josiah, Josie, joskin, Jospin, Josquin des Prés, joss, josser, joss house, joss stick, jostle, jot

Other definitions for joss (2 of 2)

joss²

[ jos ]

/ dʒɒs /

noun British, Australian Informal.

a foreman or boss.

Origin of joss

First recorded in 1855–60; origin uncertain

How to use joss in a sentence

Joss Whedon, who is an executive producer and directed the S.H.I.E.L.D. pilot, has his hands full with the Avengers sequel.
The Leaner, Meaner Season 2 of ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’|Jason Lynch|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last year, I spoke to Joss Whedon, the director behind The Avengers and its upcoming sequel about the lack of female superheroes.
Fear of a Minority Superhero: Marvel's Obsession with White Guys Saving the World|Marlow Stern|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Joss gave me my first job in Hollywood, which was writing a TV show for him.
‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Filmmaker James Gunn on His Glorious Space Opera and Rise to the A-List|Marlow Stern|August 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I was really thrilled that Joss Whedon asked me to be involved.
Motion Capture Maestro Andy Serkis on ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ and Revolutionizing Cinema|Marlow Stern|July 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

This one came around and I was a little skeptical, but Joss reached out to me, and then Robert did.
Mark Ruffalo Blasts Iraq’s GOP Warmongers, Talks ‘Begin Again’ and ‘Avengers’|Marlow Stern|June 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In short, he is the creature of this 'Joss'—this home-made deity—to which he bows down and worships.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Well, thin, joss sticks an' opyum f'r smokin' ar-re on th' free list!
Mr. Dooley Says|Finley Dunne
Our joss-houses and our feasts are nothing to the splendors of American churches.
As A Chinaman Saw Us|Anonymous
Every time she attempted to start playing, shouts were raised for Joss.
John Ingerfield and Other Stories|Jerome K. Jerome
He was fat and crass and ugly, that joss, a fit deity for such a den, and he seemed to nod and to listen!
Where the Pavement Ends|John Russell

British Dictionary definitions for joss

joss

/ (dʒɒs) /

noun

a Chinese deity worshipped in the form of an idol

Word Origin for joss

C18: from pidgin English, from Portuguese deos god, from Latin deus

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