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
Why, zounds, you don't say, Peter!" exclaimed Nicholas, laughing; "he'll never be able to manage him.
From The Lancashire Witches A Romance of Pendle Forest by William Harrison Ainsworth
Why zounds, madam, how durst you talk so?
From St. Patrick's day, or, the scheming lieutenant : a farce in one act by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
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
Such new-fangled words as "eftsoon," "albeit," "wench," "soothly," "zounds," "whenas," and "sithence" had stolen into common usage, making more direct and simpler speech a jest and a byword.
From The Holy Cross and Other Tales by Eugene Field
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