dimber cove

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English

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Noun

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dimber cove (plural dimber coves)

  1. (obsolete, UK, thieves' cant) A gentleman.
    • 1837, Benjamin Disraeli, Venetia:
      'Tis a dimber cove,' whispered one of the younger men to a companion.
    • 1901, Fergus Hume, The Millionaire Mystery:
      Is it Mr. Gramp you want, m'dimber-cove?
    • 1918, Jeffery Farnol, Our Admirable Betty:
      "Come now, Benno my dimber cove," cried Jerry at last, "what's the game? What ha' ye brought me here for? Tip us the office!"
  2. (obsolete, UK, thieves' cant) A handsome man.
    • 2012, Kate Ross, A Broken Vessel:
      I seen his son once—Mr. Charles Avondale. Cor, he's a dimber cove! Hair like gold, and eyes as'd put blue violets to shame. He ever come here?
    • 2013, Maria McCann, Ace, King, Knave:
      'Dimber cove, though, ain't he?'¶ 'Except his hair,' the other girl said. 'I don't care for this newfangled fashion, neither wig nor powder.'¶ 'But a fine colour,' Betsy-Ann said, thinking it would be a pity to powder such hair: like dulling a raven's wing.

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