haberdash

English

Etymology

See haberdasher.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhæbə(ɹ)ˌdæʃ/, /ˌhæbə(ɹ)ˈdæʃ/
• Rhymes: -æʃ

Verb

haberdash (third-person singular simple present haberdashes, present participle haberdashing, simple past and past participle haberdashed)

1. To deal in small wares, or provide with wares.
   • 1635, Fra[ncis] Quarles, “Canto V. Pro[verbs] XXIII. V.”, in Emblemes, London: […] G[eorge] M[iller] and sold at at Iohn Marriots shope […], →OCLC, book II, stanza 5, page 82:

     VVhat meane dull ſoules, in this high meaſure / To haberdaſh / In earths baſe vvares, vvhoſe greateſt treaſure / Is droſſe and traſh?

   • 1907, O. Henry, Heart of the West, Seats of the Haughty:

     “‘No way-stops,’ says I to Solly, ‘except long enough to get you barbered and haberdashed. This is no Texas feet shampetter,’ says I, ‘where you eat chili-concarne-con-huevos and then holler “Whoopee!” across the plaza. We’re now going against the real high life. We’re going to mingle with the set that carries a Spitz, wears spats, and hits the ground in high spots.’

References

• “haberdash”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.