pismire
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Middle English pissemyre, equivalent to piss + mire (“ant”). So called due to the smell of anthills. Compare pissant.
Pronunciation [edit]
- IPA: /ˈpɪsmaɪə/
Noun [edit]
pismire (plural pismires)
- (regional) An ant.
- late 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Summoner's Tale”, in The Canterbury Tales:
- He is as angry as a pissemyre, / Þogh þat he have al þat he kan desire […]
- 1658, Sir Thomas Browne, The Garden of Cyrus, Folio Society (2007), page 189:
- Much there is not of wonder in the confused Houses of Pismires, though much in their busie life and actions […]
- 1993, Anthony Burgess, A Dead Man in Deptford:
- We are scurrying emmets or pismires with our sad little comedies.
- late 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Summoner's Tale”, in The Canterbury Tales:
Translations [edit]
ant — see ant
