barmy

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Adjective 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Adjective 1.3.1.1 Synonyms 1.3.1.2 Derived terms 1.3.2 Usage notes

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɑː(r)mi
• Homophones: balmy

[edit] Etymology 1

From Old English beorma (“‘yeast’”)

[edit] Adjective

barmy (comparative barmier, superlative barmiest)

1. (rare) containing barm, i.e. froth from fermented yeast

[edit] Etymology 2

Probably an alteration of balmy

[edit] Adjective

barmy (comparative barmier, superlative barmiest)

1. (mainly British) dotty, goofy, wacko.

   2004: The movie is sweet enough in its barmy way... -- Roger Ebert

[edit] Synonyms

• dotty, goofy, wacko

[edit] Derived terms

• barmily
• barminess

[edit] Usage notes

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