barmy

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English [edit]

Pronunciation [edit]

Etymology 1 [edit]

From Old English beorma (“yeast”)

Adjective [edit]

barmy (comparative barmier, superlative barmiest)

  1. (rare) containing barm, i.e. froth from fermented yeast
    • Dryden
      Barmy beer.

Etymology 2 [edit]

Probably an alteration of balmy

Adjective [edit]

barmy (comparative barmier, superlative barmiest)

  1. (chiefly UK) dotty, goofy, wacko.
    2004: The movie is sweet enough in its barmy way... -- Roger Ebert
Synonyms [edit]
Derived terms [edit]

Usage notes [edit]

  • in US English, balmy is usual for sense (2); elsewhere this is occasionally found but some authorities consider it erroneous, despite its probable etymology.

Anagrams [edit]

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