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Webster 1913 Edition


Billingsgate

Bil′lings-gateˊ

,
Noun.
1.
A market near the Billings gate in London, celebrated for fish and foul language.
2.
Coarsely abusive, foul, or profane language; vituperation; ribaldry.

Definition 2024


billingsgate

billingsgate

English

Noun

billingsgate

  1. profane, abusive language; coarse words
    You wouldn't have believed the billingsgate which poured forth from that boy's mouth.
    • Saintsbury
      These "flytings" consisted of alternate torrents of sheer Billingsgate poured upon each other by the combatants.

Verb

billingsgate (third-person singular simple present billingsgates, present participle billingsgating, simple past and past participle billingsgated)

  1. (transitive) To use abusive language towards.
    • 1905, Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine (volume 177, page 99)
      On the other hand, the Englishman has the satisfaction of Billingsgating to his heart's content the highest officials: they accept objurgation with spaniel fawning.