od

[ od, ohd ]

noun

a hypothetical force formerly held to pervade all nature and to manifest itself in magnetism, mesmerism, chemical action, etc.

Origin of od

First recorded in 1840–50; arbitrary name coined by Karl von Reichenbach (1788–1869), German scientist

Also odyl, odyle .

Other definitions for od (2 of 9)

abbreviation

on demand.
outside diameter.

outside dimensions.
overdraft.
overdrawn.

Other definitions for Od (3 of 9)

or 'Od, Odd

[ od ]

interjectionArchaic.

a shortened form of “God” (used in euphemistically altered oaths).

Origin of Od

First recorded in 1590–1600

Other definitions for OD (4 of 9)

[ oh-dee ]

noun,plural ODs or OD's.

an overdose of a drug, especially a fatal one.
a person who has taken an overdose of a drug, especially one who has become seriously ill or has died from such an overdose.

verb (used without object),OD'd or ODed or OD'ed, OD'ing or OD·ing.

to take an overdose of a drug.
to die from an an overdose of a drug.

to have or experience an excessive amount or degree of something.

Origin of OD

⁴

First recorded in 1955–60

Other definitions for OD (5 of 9)

abbreviation

officer of the day.
Old Dutch. : Also OD., O.D.

Ordnance Department.
outside diameter.

Other definitions for o.d. (6 of 9)

o.d.¹

abbreviation

(in prescriptions) the right eye.

Origin of o.d.

⁶

From Latin oculus dexter

Other definitions for o.d. (7 of 9)

o.d.²

abbreviation

olive drab.
on demand.

outside diameter.

Other definitions for O.D. (8 of 9)

O.D.¹

abbreviation

(in prescriptions) the right eye.

Origin of O.D.

⁸

From Latin oculus dexter

Other definitions for O.D. (9 of 9)

O.D.²

abbreviation

Doctor of Optometry.
officer of the day.

Old Dutch.
(of a military uniform) olive drab.
ordinary seaman.
outside diameter.
overdraft.
overdrawn.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use od in a sentence

Some of the same folks who called BDS treasonous see ODS as part of a patriotic resistance.
The Obama Haters Book Club: The Canon Swells | John Avlon | October 26, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Ods budikins, ne'er a coxcomb in the kingdom shall plant as much as a primrose in my ground.
History of English Humour, Vol. 1 (of 2) | Alfred Guy Kingan L'Estrange
“Ods life, then we shall have to fight her after all,” exclaimed the colonel, with animation.
The Pirate of the Mediterranean | W.H.G. Kingston
Ods fish, Morton, this thing might puzzle a wiser man, than thine uncle.
Devereux, Complete | Edward Bulwer-Lytton
But, ods fish, Morton, how is it that you grew so friendly with the priest before his departure?
Devereux, Complete | Edward Bulwer-Lytton

I hate conversations on marriage more than a boy does flogging,—ods fish, I do.
Devereux, Complete | Edward Bulwer-Lytton

British Dictionary definitions for od (1 of 4)

odyl or odyle (ˈɒdɪl)

/ (ɒd, əʊd) /

noun

archaic a hypothetical force formerly thought to be responsible for many natural phenomena, such as magnetism, light, and hypnotism

Origin of od

C19: coined arbitrarily by Baron Karl von Reichenbach (1788–1869), German scientist

Derived forms of od

odic, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for Od (2 of 4)

'Od or Odd

/ (ɒd) /

noun

euphemistic (used in mild oaths) an archaic word for God

British Dictionary definitions for OD (3 of 4)

OD¹

/ (ˌəʊˈdiː) informal /

noun

an overdose of a drug

verbOD's, OD'ing or OD'd

(intr) to take an overdose of a drug

Origin of OD

C20: from o (ver) d (ose)

British Dictionary definitions for OD (4 of 4)

OD²

abbreviation for

Officer of the Day
Old Dutch

ordnance datum
outside diameter
Also: o.d. military olive drab
Also: O/D banking
- on demand
- overdraft
- overdrawn

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

Browse