DASH

Definitions

1. 1. Violent striking together of two bodies; collision; crash.
2. 2. A sudden check; abashment; frustration; ruin; as, his hopes received a dash.
3. 3. A slight admixture, infusion, or adulteration; a partial overspreading; as, wine with a dash of water; red with a dash of purple. Innocence when it has in it a dash of folly. Addison.
4. 4. A rapid movement, esp. one of short duration; a quick stroke or blow; a sudden onset or rush; as, a bold dash at the enemy; a dash of rain. She takes upon her bravely at first dash. Shak.
5. 5. Energy in style or action; animation; spirit.
6. 6. A vain show; a blustering parade; a flourish; as, to make or cut a great dash. [Low]
7. 7. A mark or line [--], in writing or printing, denoting a sudden break, stop, or transition in a sentence, or an abrupt change in its construction, a long or significant pause, or an unexpected or epigrammatic turn of sentiment. Dashes are also sometimes used instead of marks or parenthesis. John Wilson.
8. 8. The sign of staccato, a small mark [.
9. 9. The line drawn through a figure in the thorough bass, as a direction to raise the interval a semitone.
10. 10. A short, spirited effort or trial of speed upon a race course; -- used in horse racing, when a single trial constitutes the race.