zounds
Americaninterjection
interjection
Etymology
Origin of zounds
First recorded in 1590–1600; variant of 'swounds
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But any potential eeriness was quickly overwhelmed by the mob of cheerful Appletonians, sipping wine, munching on cheese and -- zounds -- even joking.
From Time Magazine Archive
Your daughter, Mr A—a—a; ay, your daughter," said Captain Stubbs; "why, let me see—yes, let her try it; but, zounds, if she spoil it, it shall be at her peril.
From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 16 by Various
In drat, formerly 'od rot, zounds for God's wounds, 'sdeath, odsbodikins, etc., there is probably a deliberate avoidance of profanity.
From The Romance of Words (4th ed.) by Ernest Weekley
"Thirty-three hairs!" exclaimed Lord Norbury: "zounds, sir! then you must have been firing at a wig."
From The Jest Book The Choicest Anecdotes and Sayings by Mark Lemon
Who that utters the word "zounds," imagines that he is speaking of such awful and inconceivable things as "God's wounds," though literally he is doing so?
From The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 1, April, 1851 by Various
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