Etymology: Variant of garse n., apparently showing sporadic development of /s/ to /ʃ/ after /r/ (compare the form garsshe in Palsgrave: see quot. 1530 at garse n.), followed by assimilatory loss of /r/; the change may have been reinforced by association in form and meaning with slash v.¹ or slash n.¹, although the chronology poses problems for this explanation. Compare gash v.¹Compare also discussion at garse v. of the Middle French form garscher which is also recorded in Palsgrave. This is apparently an isolated instance, and may be erroneous (although compare evidence in Französisches etymol. Wörterbuch at charaxare for modern dialectal forms with a fricative).

Etymology: Related to gash adj.², gash adv.¹, gash v.²: see discussion at gash adj.² and adv.¹

Etymology: Origin uncertain; perhaps shortened < English regional (north.) and Scots gaishen , gaishon , gation , gayshen , geshon skeleton, emaciated person, silly-looking person, obstacle (see Eng. Dial. Dict. at gaishen sb., Sc. National Dict. at gaishon n., adj.), of uncertain origin (and perhaps showing more than one distinct word). Alternatively, perhaps compare gash n.² Compare gash adj.⁴, apparently derived from the noun.The following examples may perhaps indicate the same semantic development in gaishen , although, given the different regional distribution, it is possible that they may simply show one or more derivative formations from the present word (if so, quot. 1925 implies earlier currency):1925 E. Fraser & J. Gibbons Soldier & Sailor Words 103 Gashions, extra of anything.1938 ‘Giraldus’ Merry Matloe Again 262 Gashens, refuse, debris.1946 J. Irving Royal Navalese 83 Gashings, dust heaps; floor sweepings; collected refuse in general.

Etymology: Apparently either shortened < or a back-formation < either gashful adj. or gashly adj., although recorded earlier than either of these.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Related to gash n.² and gash v.²; the adjective is the first word in this group to be attested, and the other uses may all be developed from it, although this is far from certain. Perhaps related further to gash-gabbit adj. and also to gash adj.³, gash adv.², perhaps all having reference originally to a long face (hence perhaps sagacity and distinction) or a large mouth (hence loquaciousness, but perhaps also fluent and impressive speech). However, in the absence of any clear etymon, this must remain speculative; a connection ultimately with the same base as gaw v. has been suggested, but this leaves much unexplained.The noun gash is attested very rarely in 19th-cent. Scots in the meaning ‘projection of the under jaw, chin', but this may show a secondary development, parallel to gash n.², rather than reflecting an original literal meaning.

Etymology: Origin uncertain: see discussion at gash adj.² and adv.¹A connection with Scots sagashus , obsolete variant of sagacious adj., is very unlikely, since this would be expected to show a different vowel quality in its second syllable (compare Sc. National Dict. at sagashus adj.).

Etymology: Apparently < gash n.³Connection with much earlier cass adj. seems unlikely. Borrowing from French gâcher to do badly, to ruin, to waste (time, one's life, etc.) also seems unlikely, especially in view of the early currency of the noun.

Etymology: Either < gash n.¹, or a variant of garse v., arising by a similar process to gash n.¹ (see discussion at that entry).

Etymology: Related to gash adj.², gash adv.¹, gash n.²: see discussion at gash adj.² and adv.¹