losel
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle English losel (also lorel), from *losen, loren, past participle of lesen (“to lose”), equivalent to lose + -le.
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈləʊzəl/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. enPR: lōʹzəl, IPA(key): /ˈloʊzəl/
Noun
losel (plural losels)
- (archaic) A worthless or despicable person.
- 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, II.iii:
- The whiles a losell wandring by the way, / One that to bountie neuer cast his mind, / Ne thought of honour euer did assay […].
- 1623, William Shakespeare, The Winter's Tale, III.ii:
- And, losel, thou art worthy to be hang'd.
- 1843, Thomas Carlyle, Past and Present, book 4, chapter III, The One Institution
- These thousand straight-standing firm-set individuals, who shoulder arms, who march, wheel, advance, retreat; and are, for your behoof, a magazine charged with fiery death, in the most perfect condition of potential activity: few months ago, till the persuasive sergeant came, what were they? Multiform ragged losels, runaway apprentices, starved weavers, thievish valets […]
- 1954, Philip Larkin, Toads:
- Lots of folk live on their wits: / Lecturers,lispers, / Losels, loblolly-men, louts-- / They don't end up as paupers; […]
- 1964, Anthony Burgess, The Eve of St Venus:
- ‘Come on, you losel,’ he said to Spatchcock, ‘you privy calligrapher, you. You can carry his bottles. I’ll carry him.’
- 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, II.iii:
Synonyms
Derived terms
Adjective
losel (comparative more losel, superlative most losel)