joss1
[jos]
- a Chinese house idol or cult image.
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Origin of joss1
1705–15; < Chinese Pidgin English < Portuguese deos < Latin deus god
joss2
[jos]
- a foreman or boss.
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Origin of joss2
First recorded in 1855–60; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for joss
Contemporary Examples
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.
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 WorldMarlow Stern
August 7, 2014
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-ListMarlow Stern
August 3, 2014
I was really thrilled that Joss Whedon asked me to be involved.
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
Historical Examples
The result was that Joss learned to read and write before the voyage was over.
The Shellback's ProgressWalter Runciman
She felt as astonished as if some Confucian fanatic had set up his joss at auction.
The Coast of ChanceEsther Chamberlain
"I should think Wang would like her, to put her in his Joss house," he said disrespectfully.
In Blue Creek CaonAnna Chapin Ray
When they mounted the joss house stairs she lagged behind; and Bertram lagged with her.
The ReadjustmentWill Irwin
That fellow has a Joss in his cabin, and very likely a prayer-wheel; but he's a capital cook.
In the High ValleySusan Coolidge
joss
- a Chinese deity worshipped in the form of an idol
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Word Origin
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
Word Origin and History for joss
n.
"Chinese figure of a deity," 1711, from Chinese Pidgin English, from Javanese dejos, taken 16c. from Portuguese deus "god," from Latin deus (see Zeus). Colloquially, it came to mean "luck." Joss stick "Chinese incense" first recorded 1883.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper