oons, int. Now rare.
(uːnz)
Also 6 ounes, 8 ouns.
[Worn-down form of wounds (i.e. God's wounds! Zounds!), w being dropped before (uː), and d after n, as is common in dialects.]
A petty oath: = zounds.
| 1593 Peele Chron. Edw. I 94 Ye dogs, ounes! do me a shrewd turn, and mock me too? 1687 Congreve Old Bach. v. viii, Oons how my heart aches! 1777 Sheridan Trip Scarb. iii. i, Ouns! if you can't..how do you think I should do't? 1830 James Darnley vii. 37 Oons! cried Jekin, this is magic. 1889 Doyle Micah Clarke 115 'Oons! I'd as soon travel in the land of the Great Mogul! |