† bug-word, bug's-word Obs.
[f. bug n.1 + word. Cf. bugbear word.]
A word meant to frighten or terrify; a word that causes dread. Usually in pl. Swaggering or threatening language.
| 1562 J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 54 All be bugs woords, that I speake to spare. a 1600 Hooker Wks. (1845) I. 277 Certaine wordes, as Nature, Reason, Will and such like which wheresoever you find named you suspect..as bugs wordes. 1632 Sanderson Serm. 163 Outdared with the bigge-lookes and bug-words of those that could doe him no harme. 1668 Dryden Sir M. Mar-All i. i, I..have nothing to hope for..but death. Death is a bug-word. a 1734 North Exam. i. ii. ¶105 (1740) 87 A Rebellion; O no, that's a bug Word. |