Etymology
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ding (v.)

1819, "to sound as metal when struck," possibly abstracted from ding-dong (1550s), which is of imitative origin. The meaning "to deal heavy blows" is c. 1300, probably from Old Norse dengja "to hammer," perhaps also imitative. Meaning "dent" is 1960s. Related: Dinged; dinging.

Entries linking to ding

ding-a-ling (n.)

"one who is crazy," 1940, from earlier adjective (1935), from noun meaning "the sound of little bells" (1894), ultimately imitative of the tinkling sound (by 1848; see ding (v.)). The extended senses are from the notion of hearing bells in the head.

dinger (n.)

"something superlative," 1809, American English, agent noun from ding (v.). Baseball sense of "a home run" is by 1984.

updated on August 20, 2018

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Dictionary entries near ding

Dinaric

dine

diner

dinero

dinette

ding

ding-a-ling

dingbat

ding-dong

dinger

dinghy

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