Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Bludgeon

Bludg′eon

,
Noun.
[Cf. Ir.
blocan
a little block, Gael.
plocan
a mallet, W.
plocyn
, dim. of
ploc
block; or perh. connected with E.
blow
a stroke. Cf.
Block
,
Blow
a stroke.]
A short stick, with one end loaded, or thicker and heavier that the other, used as an offensive weapon.

Webster 1828 Edition

Bludgeon

BLUD'GEON

,
Noun.
A short stick, with one end loaded or thicker and heavier than the other, and used as an offensive weapon by low persons.

Definition 2024

bludgeon

bludgeon

English

Noun

bludgeon ‎(plural bludgeons)

  1. A short, heavy club, often of wood, which is thicker or loaded at one end.
    We smashed the radio with a steel bludgeon.

Translations

See also

Verb

bludgeon ‎(third-person singular simple present bludgeons, present participle bludgeoning, simple past and past participle bludgeoned)

  1. (transitive) To strike or hit with something hard, usually on the head; to club.
    The apprehended rioter was bludgeoned to death.
  2. (transitive) To coerce someone, as if with a bludgeon.
    Their favorite method was bludgeoning us with the same old arguments in favor of their opinions.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

References

  • “bludgeon” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary (2001).

Etymology

First attested in 1730. Origin uncertain, perhaps of Cornish origin (recorded as blogon c. 1450) or from Middle French bougeon, a diminutive of bouge ‎(“club, stick”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /blʌdʒ.ən/
  • Rhymes: -ʌdʒən

Similar Results