~ 1
■ noun a small round mark or spot.
↘ Music a ~ used to denote the lengthening of a note or rest by half, or to indicate staccato.
↘the shorter signal of the two used in Morse code.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ting , ~ted )
1》 mark with a ~ or ~s.
2》 scatter or be scattered over (an area).
3》 Brit. informal hit (someone).
Phrases
~ the i's and cross the t's informal ensure that all details are correct.
on the ~ informal exactly on time.
the year ~ Brit. informal a very long time ago.
Derivatives
~ter noun
Origin
OE ~t 'head of a boil'; perh. influenced by Du. ~ 'a knot'.
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~ 2
■ noun archaic a dowry from which only the interest or annual income was available to the husband.
Origin
from Fr., from L. dos , ~- (see dower ).