wahoo1
[wah-hoo, wah-hoo]
- any of various American shrubs or small trees, as the winged elm, Ulmus alata, or a linden, Tilia heterophylla.
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Origin of wahoo1
An Americanism dating back to 1760–70; origin uncertain
wahoo2
[wah-hoo, wah-hoo]
- a shrub or small tree, Euonymus atropurpurea, of North America, having finely serrated, elliptical leaves and pendulous capsules that in opening reveal the bright-scarlet arils of the seeds.
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Origin of wahoo2
1855–60, Americanism; < Dakota wanhu, equivalent to wan- arrow + hu wood, shaft
Also called burning bush.
wahoo3
[wah-hoo, wah-hoo]
- a large, swift mackerel, Acanthocybium solanderi, widespread in warm seas, of a steel blue to greenish blue above and silver below, often leaping from the water and occasionally schooling in great numbers: valued as a food and game fish.
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Origin of wahoo3
First recorded in 1905–10; origin uncertain
Also called peto.
wahoo4
[wah-hoo]
- (an exclamation used to express joy, excitement, etc.)
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Origin of wahoo4
1900–05, Americanism; of imitative origin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for wahoo
Contemporary Examples
A sobering article on gang rape inside a UVA fraternity has Wahoo alumni like myself up in arms.
Historical Examples
The heartwood of wahoo is white, with a slight tinge of orange.
American Forest TreesHenry H. Gibson
The leaves, bark, and fruit of the wahoo are acrid and are reputed to be poisonous.
American Forest TreesHenry H. Gibson
It will be believed that I did not leave Wahoo without the deepest regret.
A Voyage Round the World, from 1806 to 1812Archibald Campbell
One separated from the others and shot down into the Valley of the Wahoo.
In the Heart of a FoolWilliam Allen White
For the toll of death in the Wahoo Valley was cruel and inexorable.
In the Heart of a FoolWilliam Allen White
wahoo1
- an elm, Ulmus alata, of SE North America having twigs with winged corky edgesAlso called: winged elm
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Word Origin
from Creek ǔhawhu cork elm
wahoo2
- an E North American shrub or small tree, Euonymus atropurpureus, with scarlet capsules and seedsAlso called: burning bush
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Word Origin
C19: from Dakota wāhu arrowwood
wahoo3
- a large fast-moving food and game fish, Acanthocybium solandri, of tropical seas: family Scombridae (mackerels and tunnies)
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Word Origin
of unknown origin
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 wahoo
n.
type of large marine fish, 1905, of unknown origin.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper