v. t. | 1. | To throw with violence or haste; to cause to strike violently or hastily; - often used with against. |
| 2. | To break, as by throwing or by collision; to shatter; to crust; to frustrate; to ruin. |
| 3. | To put to shame; to confound; to confuse; to abash; to depress. |
| 4. | To throw in or on in a rapid, careless manner; to mix, reduce, or adulterate, by throwing in something of an inferior quality; to overspread partially; to bespatter; to touch here and there; as, to dash wine with water; to dash paint upon a picture. |
| 5. | To form or sketch rapidly or carelessly; to execute rapidly, or with careless haste; - with off; as, to dash off a review or sermon. |
| 6. | To erase by a stroke; to strike out; knock out; - with out; as, to dash out a word. |
v. i. | 1. | To rush with violence; to move impetuously; to strike violently; as, the waves dash upon rocks. |
n. | 1. | Violent striking together of two bodies; collision; crash. |
| 2. | A sudden check; abashment; frustration; ruin; as, his hopes received a dash. |
| 3. | A slight admixture, infusion, or adulteration; a partial overspreading; as, wine with a dash of water; red with a dash of purple. |
| 4. | A rapid movement, esp. one of short duration; a quick stroke or blow; a sudden onset or rush; as, a bold dash at the enemy; a dash of rain. |
| 5. | Energy in style or action; animation; spirit. |
| 6. | A vain show; a blustering parade; a flourish; as, to make or cut a great dash. |
| 7. | (Punctuation) A mark or line [-], in writing or printing, denoting a sudden break, stop, or transition in a sentence, or an abrupt change in its construction, a long or significant pause, or an unexpected or epigrammatic turn of sentiment. Dashes are also sometimes used instead of marks or parenthesis. |
| 8. | (Mus.) The sign of staccato, a small mark [ ] denoting that the note over which it is placed is to be performed in a short, distinct manner. |
| 9. | (Racing) A short, spirited effort or trial of speed upon a race course; - used in horse racing, when a single trial constitutes the race. |