3 September 2015

gourd

[gawrd, gohrd, goo rd]

noun

1. the hard-shelled fruit of any of various plants, especially those of Lagenaria siceraria (white-flowered gourd or bottle gourd) whose dried shell is used for bowls and other utensils, and Cucurbita pepo (yellow-flowered gourd) used ornamentally.
Compare gourd family.
2. a plant bearing such a fruit.
3. a dried and excavated gourd shell used as a bottle, dipper, flask, etc.
4. a gourd-shaped, small-necked bottle or flask.

Idioms
5. out of /off one’s gourd, Slang. out of one’s mind; crazy.

Origin of gourd
Middle English, Anglo-French, Old French, Latin

1275-1325; Middle English gourd (e), courde < Anglo-French (Old French cöorde) < Latin cucurbita

Related forms
gourdlike, adjective

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for gourd Expand

Contemporary Examples

Teammates would get calls from Ellis out of his gourd at 3:30 a.m. on nights before games.
‘No No,’ a Documentary on MLB Pitcher Dock Ellis, Who Pitched a No-Hitter While Tripping on Acid
Marlow Stern
February 4, 2014

Historical Examples

ON our way back we took up the gourd bowls and plates, which we found quite dry and hard as bone, and put them in our bags.
The Swiss Family Robinson Told in Words of One Syllable
Mary Godolphin

With her head bent forward, she stared at some petals that had fallen from the gourd.
Sacrifice
Stephen French Whitman

Anagram

so rug

Today’s quote

The only courage you ever need is the courage to fulfil the dreams of your own life.

– Oprah

On this day

3 September 1901 – Australian national flag flies for the first time. The Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne has the honours. 3 September is celebrated each year as Australia’s National Flag Day.

3 September 1939 – Britain declares war on Germany.

3 September 1970 – death of Alan Wilson from barbiturate poisoning. It’s unclear whether his death was accidental or suicide. American guitarist and singer-songwriter for Canned Heat. He was 27. His death occurred two weeks before the death of Jimi Hendrix and four weeks before the death of Janis Joplin. Born 4 July 1943.