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Definitions

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

  1. n. Informal A checking or restraining element: had to put the kibosh on a poorly conceived plan.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

  1. n. The form, manner, style, or fashion of something; the thing: as, that is the proper kibosh; full dress is the correct kibosh for the opera.
  2. n. Something indefinite; a thing of any kind not definitely conceived or intended: as, I'll give him the kibosh
  3. n. The thing in question; the stuff: as, that's the proper kibosh. Hence, specifically.
  4. n. The stuff used in filling cracks or giving finish or shadow to architectural sculptures, namely, Portland cement.
  5. n. Wages; money. Eng. Dial. Dict. (s. v. kybosh).
  6. n. Affectation; display; pretense.
  7. n. Stuff; nonsense; rubbish; bosh.
  8. n. To put the finishing touches on; perfect (one) in his trade.
  9. n. Intransitively, to do one's best.
  10. To finish off; knock out; squash completely; end.
  11. To throw kibosh, or Portland cement, upon (carved stonework) with a blowpipe and a brush, so as to enhance the shadows.

Wiktionary

  1. n. A checking or restraining element.

GNU Webster's 1913

  1. n. Nonsense; stuff; also, fashion; style.
  2. n. Portland cement when thrown or blown into the recesses of carved stonework to intensify the shadows.

WordNet 3.0

  1. v. stop from happening or developing

Etymologies

  1. Origin unknown.

Examples

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Comments

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  • chrissykp A recurring antagonist in some of the 'Casper the Friendly Ghost' movies is named Kibosh. He's the king of the ghosts and a stickler for rules, which often leads to conflict with Casper and his "uncles". Apr 17, 2012

  • chrissykp A recurring antagonist in some of the 'Casper the Friendly Ghost' movies is named Kibosh. He's the king of the ghosts and a stickler for rules, which often leads to conflict with Casper and his "uncles". Apr 17, 2012

  • chrissykp A recurring antagonist in some of the 'Casper the Friendly Ghost' movies is named Kibosh. He's the king of the ghosts and a stickler for rules, which often leads to conflict with Casper and his "uncles". Apr 17, 2012

  • john What you put on things to stop them. Apr 14, 2008

‘kibosh’ has been looked up 2413 times, loved by 5 people, added to 33 lists, commented on 4 times, and has a Scrabble score of 15.