gossoon

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“
I'll be alone to-night when the gossoon is asleep, and ye can dhrap in, and tell me what ye like, av ye plaze At about ten o'clock that night, the Rev. Patrick Mulcahy, while talking over the funeral, and the sad events which had led to it, was asked for by the young lad, Katty's brother Well, Andy, lad, what's wanting now?

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Definitions (2)

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  1. A boy; a male servant. [Ireland.] In most Irish families there used to be a bare-footed gossoon, who was slave to the cook and the butler, and who in fact, without wages, did all the hard work of the house. Gossoons were always employed as messengers. Miss Edgeworth, Castle Rackrent, p. 93.

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Examples (50)

  • I think she's falling for him Ham became indignant That homely gossoon," he said, "must hypnotize the women or something. —  119 - The Time Terror
  • He was a regular gossoon, though shaped like a fine specimen of the pampered menials who condescend to open the front door of large mansions to their betters. —  The Reminiscences of an Irish Land Agent
  • "If any harum had come to the gossoon, we'd have knowed it. —  A Rivermouth Romance
  • Another curious meal wafted from the bowels of the earth and cooled by all the airs that blow,--then the shawl-straps were girded anew, the carriage (a half-grown omnibus with the jaundice) mounted, the farewell bows and adieux received, and forth rumbled the duchesses en route for Blois My heart is rent at leaving that lovely château_,' said Mat, as they crossed the bridge I mourn the earth-worms, the cacti, and the tireless "gossoon,"' added Amanda, who appreciated French cookery and had enjoyed confidences with Adolphe The cats, the cats, the cats! —  Shawl-Straps A Second Series of Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag
  • "Didn't I say him studying it like a gossoon Poor George! —  Motor Boat Boys Mississippi Cruise or, The Dash for Dixie
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Etymologies (1)

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  1. A corruption of French garçon, a boy, a servant: see garçon, garcion.
 

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