curber
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English
[edit]Pronunciation
[edit]- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈkəːbə/
Audio (General Australian): (file)
Etymology 1
[edit]Noun
[edit]curber (plural curbers)
- Someone or something which curbs.
- 1902, William James, “Lectures XIV and XV: The Value of Saintliness”, in The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature […] , New York, N.Y.; London: Longmans, Green, and Co. […], →OCLC, page 329:
- [T]hey required him as a safeguard against the demon and a curber of other people's crimes.
Etymology 2
[edit]Noun
[edit]curber (plural curbers)
- (historical slang) A type of thief who used a ‘curb’ or hooked pole to steal things through open windows.
- 1977, Gãmini Salgãdo, The Elizabethan Underworld, Folio Society, published 2006, page 33:
- Night was the natural time for the curber’s activities and striking up an acquaintance with a serving maid was an invaluable way of getting a window left open or learning the exact layout of the rooms in the house.
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