dopiness N.Z.
(ˈdəʊpɪnɪs)
[f. dopey a. + -ness.]
A deficiency disease of sheep.
| 1932 Discovery Nov. 357/2 Recent investigations in New Zealand testify to..the value of top dressing of pastures with lime and superphosphate where sheep are affected with dopiness diseases. 1934 L. J. Wild Soils & Manures in N.Z. (ed. 3) v. 72 The sheep disease called ‘dopiness’ occurs notably in the Mairoa district. 1950 N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. July 33/3 Some green, succulent feed just before and at lambing assists in the prevention of diseases associated with lambing—dopiness (twin lamb disease or ante-partum paralysis) and milk fever. |
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Substitute for def.: The state or condition of being dopey.
1. N.Z. A deficiency disease in sheep, characterized by lethargy.
| 1932 Discovery Nov. 357/2 Recent investigations in New Zealand testify to..the value of top dressing of pastures with lime and superphosphate where sheep are affected with dopiness diseases. 1934 L. J. Wild Soils & Manures in N.Z. (ed. 3) v. 72 The sheep disease called ‘dopiness’ occurs notably in the Mairoa district. 1950 N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. July 33/3 Some green, succulent feed just before and at lambing assists in the prevention of diseases associated with lambing—dopiness (twin lamb disease or ante-partum paralysis) and milk fever. |
2. gen.
| 1942 Berrey & Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §174/2 Dopiness, dottiness, fuddle, [etc.]. 1956 H. Gold Man who was not with It (1965) xi. 92 He broke my heart with dopiness. 1987 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 26 Feb. 11/3 What Mencken used to call in The American Mercury ‘Americana’, his..inventory of American dopiness and freakishness, is..memorable. |