joss

[ jos ]

/ dʒɒs /

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noun

a Chinese house idol or cult image.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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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