▪ I. muzz, n. slang.
(mʌz)
Also 8–9 muz.
[Belongs to next.]
One who ‘muzzes’ over books. Cf. mug n.6 2.
| 1788 Trifler No. 5. 56 The diligence exercised in improving my mental abilities, brought upon me the almost indelible stigma of a Muz. 1807 Spirit Pub. Jrnls. (1809) XII. 305, I often wish you had been with us, though we do quiz you for a reading muz. 1899 W. K. R. Bedford Outcomes Old Oxford 86, I don't mind memoirs, but I hate a muzz. |
▪ II. muzz, v. slang.
(mʌz)
[Of obscure origin; the relation to muzzy a. is uncertain.
The word may be in part a grotesque alteration of muse v.; cf. bemuse.]
1. intr. To study intently: to ‘mug’. Const. over.
| 1775 S. J. Pratt Liberal Opin. lxxxv. (1783) III. 134 Curse that Thomas,..for ever muzzing over a musty book. 1815 Zeluca I. 356 To see you muzzing over a game of chess. 1829 Scott Jrnl. 26 Jan., I muzzed on—I can call it little better—with Anne of Geierstein. 1902 Daily Chron. 19 Mar. 3/3 To work overmuch at Eton is to ‘sap’,..at Westminster it is to ‘muzz’. |
2. trans. To render ‘muzzy’; to fuddle. Cf. muzzle v.2
| a 1787 ‘Fred. Philon’ He would be a Soldier iv. i, Caleb. A choice companion he is; only apt to get muzzed too soon. 1794 J. Williams Shrove Tuesday 6 When the nocturnal orgie'd muzz'd his brain. 1865 Sat. Rev. 17 June 727/1 A certain judge was in the habit of muzzing himself by plenteous libations. 1882 H. Bradshaw in Prothero Mem. viii. (1888) 259 A very heavy cold on me..muzzed my head. |
3. intr. To loiter aimlessly; to ‘hang about’. Cf. muss v.2 2.
| 1779 F. Burney Diary 11 Jan., If you but knew..who I shall see to-night, you would not dare keep me muzzing here. 1794 J. Williams Parental Didactics 18 And that high royal corps snug and sublime, Who muz majestic in the court ycleped Crane. |
Hence muzzed a., fuddled. ˈmuzzing ppl. a., that studies hard, ‘mugging’.
| 1793 J. Beresford in W. Roberts Looker-on No. 54 (1794) II. 311 Hunt out some college cell, Where muzzing quizzes mutter monkish schemes. 1836 Comic Almanack Mar. (1870) 48 While Harlequin, half muzz'd with wine, Don't care a rush for Columbine. 1851 Owen in Life (1894) I. 352 At Westminster..he is in a class of very sharp and hard-working, or as he calls it, muzzing boys. |