Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A contraction of good even (good e'en), a kind wish or salutation. See good day, etc., under good.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • interjection obsolete A form of salutation.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • interjection obsolete A salutation; "good evening".

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Corruption of good e'en, for good evening.

Support

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Examples

  • "Give you good-den, my lord Bishop," she piped in a shrill voice; "and what does your Grace at my humble door?

    Robin Hood 1917

  • Hugo's eyes sparkled with sinful pleasure as he said to himself, "Breath o 'my life, an I can but put that upon him," tis good-den and God keep thee, King of the Game-Cocks! "

    The Prince and the Pauper; a tale for young people of all ages 1882

  • THAT upon him, 'tis good-den and God keep thee, King of the Game-Cocks! "

    The Prince and the Pauper Mark Twain 1872

Comments

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  • There once was a miser named Ben,

    The tersest in speech among men.

    He swelled his great hoard

    By taking on board

    The syllable saved by good-den.

    January 26, 2019