out of sightadv.adj.n.
/ˌaʊtəvˈsʌɪt/, U.S. /ˌaʊdə(v)ˈsaɪt/ A. adv.
1. Beyond the range of sight.out of sight, out of mind: see mind n.1 1d.
ΚΠ
c1425 (?a1400) Arthur (Longleat 55) 342 (MED) Arthour owt of syȝt ys paste.
a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 30 (MED) Whan man is oute of siȝt [L. ab oculis], sone he passiþ oute of mynde.
?1545 H. Rhodes Bk. Nurture sig. B.ii If thou muste spyt or blowe thy nose, kepe it out of syght.
?1566 J. Alday tr. P. Boaistuau Theatrum Mundi sig. R v Who..hath made ye most honorablest members to sight, and the foule..placed out of sight.
1596 T. Nashe Haue with you to Saffron-Walden To Rdr. sig. D His Booke..I hauing kept idle by me in a by settle out of sight amongst old shooes and bootes almost this two yere.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 171 As soon as I was out of sight, I walked further towards the East.
1624 H. Wotton Elements Archit. in Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1672) 42 The benefit of removing such annoies out of sight.
1711 E. Budgell Spectator No. 77. ⁋6 Remembering the old Proverb, Out of Sight out of Mind, I left the Room.
1745 J. Swift Ode to Sir W. Temple in Misc. X. 200 She soars clear out of sight.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxiii. 239 When the sea-breeze died away, she was nearly out of sight.
1873 G. C. Davies Mountain, Meadow & Mere xiv. 109 The big fish slowly backed out of sight.
1904 19th Cent. Sept. 229 A wren..hiding out of sight behind the old level plashing upon the bank.
1945 Electronic Engin. 17 684 If the target is out of sight the Radar display panel is used.
1991 Salt Water Sportsman Feb. 31/1 Fishing tackle can be stored out of sight in rod racks.
2. slang (originally U.S.). Extremely well; beyond all comparison. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adverb]
fairlyOE
goodlyc1275
finec1330
properlyc1390
daintily?a1400
thrivinglya1400
goodlily?1457
excellent1483
excellently1527
excellently1529
curiously1548
jollilyc1563
admirably1570
beautifully1570
singularly1576
bravelyc1600
famouslya1616
manlya1616
primely1622
prime1648
eximiously1650
topping1683
egregiously1693
purely1695
trimmingly1719
toppinglya1739
surprisingly1749
capitally1750
brawly1796
jellily18..
stammingly1814
divinely1822
stunningly1823
rippingly1828
jam up1835
out of sight1835
first-rately1843
first rate1844
like a charm1845
stunning1851
marvellously1859
magnificently1868
first class1871
splendidly1883
sterlingly1883
tip-top1888
like one o'clock1901
deevily1905
goodo1907
dandy1908
bonzer1914
great1916
juicily1916
corkingly1917
champion1925
unbeatably1928
snodger1946
beaut1953
smashingly1956
groovily1970
awesome1984
1835 J. W. Carlyle Lett. I. 26 In most respects my situation is out of sight more suitable than it was at Craigenputtock.
1880 Church Times 22 Oct. 684 Under the old management, it was out of sight the most comic journal in England.
1896 G. Ade Artie 4 Say, she treated me out o' sight.
1902 P. L. Dunbar Sport of Gods 76 There's a fellah in the house 'at plays ‘Rag-time’ out o' sight.
3. slang (originally U.S.). To a great degree; to the limit of endurance; utterly; completely.In quot. 1890, the meaning is apparently ‘to death’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > utterly
allOE
allOE
outlyOE
thwert-outc1175
skerea1225
thoroughc1225
downrightc1275
purec1300
purelyc1300
faira1325
finelyc1330
quitec1330
quitelyc1330
utterlyc1374
outerlya1382
plainlya1382
straighta1387
allutterly1389
starkc1390
oultrelya1393
plata1393
barec1400
outrightc1400
incomparablyc1422
absolutely?a1425
simpliciter?a1425
staringa1425
quitementa1450
properlyc1450
directly1455
merec1475
incomparable1482
preciselyc1503
clean?1515
cleara1522
plain1535
merely1546
stark1553
perfectly1555
right-down1566
simply1574
flat1577
flatly1577
skire1581
plumb1588
dead?1589
rankly1590
stark1593
sheera1600
start1599
handsmooth1600
peremptory1601
sheerly1601
rank1602
utter1619
point-blank1624
proofa1625
peremptorily1626
downrightly1632
right-down1646
solid1651
clever1664
just1668
hollow1671
entirely1673
blank1677
even down1677
cleverly1696
uncomparatively1702
subtly1733
point1762
cussed1779
regularly1789
unqualifiedly1789
irredeemably1790
positively1800
cussedly1802
heart1812
proper1816
slick1818
blankly1822
bang1828
smack1828
pluperfectly1831
unmitigatedly1832
bodaciously1833
unredeemedly1835
out of sight1839
bodacious1845
regular1846
thoroughly1846
ingrainedly1869
muckinga1880
fucking1893
motherless1898
self1907
stone1928
sideways1956
terminally1974
1839 F. Marryat Diary in Amer. II. Remarks 223 She'll talk you out of sight.
1844 C. Dickens Christmas Carol 41 But scorning rest..he instantly began again, though there were no dancers yet, as if the other fiddler had been carried home, exhausted, in a shutter, and he were a brand-new man resolved to beat him out of sight, or perish.
1890 J. P. Quinn Fools of Fortune 357 The tramp is beaten ‘out of sight’.
1966 F. Reynolds & M. McCLure Freewheelin Frank 5 I felt out of sight wonderful.
1997 Daily Mail 27 Mar. 79/3 I have a few extra deliveries in my locker and I'm bowling my wrong 'un a lot better. It has improved out of sight, really.
2001 Sun 27 Jan. (Racing section) 8/4 What has happened to our Flat jockeys? They are getting stuffed out of sight by the apprentices day-in day-out.
B. adj. Chiefly in form out-of-sight.
1. That is out of sight; distant; remote.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > [adjective] > out of range of sight
telescopical1665
telescopic1692
out of sight1845
1845 Amer. Whig. Rev. 1 269 Puzzled between the heartfelt and generous recognition, he hardly conceals, of the out-of-sight supremacy of Audubon.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda II. iv. xxxi. 280 Walking through her own furlongs of corridor and under her own ceilings of an out-of-sight loftiness.
1967 Ecology 48 323/1 Ocean products come from a vast, out-of-sight supply about which people are uninformed.
1982 D. Francis Banker i. 65 I sent out the question-mark smoke signal and from distant out-of-sight mountain tops the answer puff-puffed back.
2. slang (originally U.S.). Excellent, incomparable, wonderful, extraordinary. Cf. outasight adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective]
faireOE
bremea1000
goodlyOE
goodfulc1275
noblec1300
pricec1300
specialc1325
gentlec1330
fine?c1335
singulara1340
thrivena1350
thriven and throa1350
gaya1375
properc1380
before-passinga1382
daintiful1393
principala1398
gradelya1400
burlyc1400
daintyc1400
thrivingc1400
voundec1400
virtuousc1425
hathelc1440
curiousc1475
singlerc1500
beautiful1502
rare?a1534
gallant1539
eximious1547
jolly1548
egregious?c1550
jellyc1560
goodlike1562
brawc1565
of worth1576
brave?1577
surprising1580
finger-licking1584
admirablea1586
excellinga1586
ambrosial1598
sublimated1603
excellent1604
valiant1604
fabulous1609
pure1609
starryc1610
topgallant1613
lovely1614
soaringa1616
twanging1616
preclarent1623
primea1637
prestantious1638
splendid1644
sterling1647
licking1648
spankinga1666
rattling1690
tearing1693
famous1695
capital1713
yrare1737
pure and —1742
daisy1757
immense1762
elegant1764
super-extra1774
trimming1778
grand1781
gallows1789
budgeree1793
crack1793
dandy1794
first rate1799
smick-smack1802
severe1805
neat1806
swell1810
stamming1814
divine1818
great1818
slap-up1823
slapping1825
high-grade1826
supernacular1828
heavenly1831
jam-up1832
slick1833
rip-roaring1834
boss1836
lummy1838
flash1840
slap1840
tall1840
high-graded1841
awful1843
way up1843
exalting1844
hot1845
ripsnorting1846
clipping1848
stupendous1848
stunning1849
raving1850
shrewd1851
jammy1853
slashing1854
rip-staving1856
ripping1858
screaming1859
up to dick1863
nifty1865
premier cru1866
slap-bang1866
clinking1868
marvellous1868
rorty1868
terrific1871
spiffing1872
all wool and a yard wide1882
gorgeous1883
nailing1883
stellar1883
gaudy1884
fizzing1885
réussi1885
ding-dong1887
jim-dandy1888
extra-special1889
yum-yum1890
out of sight1891
outasight1893
smooth1893
corking1895
large1895
super1895
hot dog1896
to die for1898
yummy1899
deevy1900
peachy1900
hi1901
v.g.1901
v.h.c.1901
divvy1903
doozy1903
game ball1905
goodo1905
bosker1906
crackerjack1910
smashinga1911
jake1914
keen1914
posh1914
bobby-dazzling1915
juicy1916
pie on1916
jakeloo1919
snodger1919
whizz-bang1920
wicked1920
four-star1921
wow1921
Rolls-Royce1922
whizz-bang1922
wizard1922
barry1923
nummy1923
ripe1923
shrieking1926
crazy1927
righteous1930
marvy1932
cool1933
plenty1933
brahmaa1935
smoking1934
solid1935
mellow1936
groovy1937
tough1937
bottler1938
fantastic1938
readyc1938
ridge1938
super-duper1938
extraordinaire1940
rumpty1940
sharp1940
dodger1941
grouse1941
perfecto1941
pipperoo1945
real gone1946
bosting1947
supersonic1947
whizzo1948
neato1951
peachy-keen1951
ridgey-dite1953
ridgy-didge1953
top1953
whizzing1953
badass1955
wild1955
belting1956
magic1956
bitching1957
swinging1958
ridiculous1959
a treat1959
fab1961
bad-assed1962
uptight1962
diggish1963
cracker1964
marv1964
radical1964
bakgat1965
unreal1965
pearly1966
together1968
safe1970
bad1971
brilliant1971
fabby1971
schmick1972
butt-kicking1973
ripper1973
Tiffany1973
bodacious1976
rad1976
kif1978
awesome1979
death1979
killer1979
fly1980
shiok1980
stonking1980
brill1981
dope1981
to die1982
mint1982
epic1983
kicking1983
fabbo1984
mega1985
ill1986
posho1989
pukka1991
lovely jubbly1992
awesomesauce2001
nang2002
bess2006
amazeballs2009
boasty2009
daebak2009
beaut2013
the mind > emotion > excitement > pleasurable excitement > [adjective]
exaltive1575
exhilarating1644
gustful1789
exalting1844
physico-mental1844
exhilarative1864
exhilaratory1871
out of sight1891
thrilly1896
1891 J. A. Fraser Train Wreckers (typescript) v. 52 Now if Daisy would only put in an appearance this would be an out of sight chance to pop the question.
1902 L. Mead Word-coinage 170 An Englishman..: ‘How do you feel old chap?’ ‘Out of sight,’ replied the American.
1927 C. Sandburg Amer. Songbag 279 The corn we raise is our delight, The melons, too, are out of sight.
1959 F. L. Brown Trumbull Park 245 I called the group together right after that absolutely out-of-sight talk with Mr. O'Leary.
1967 G. Samuels People vs. Baby 76 You're out of sight.
2000 Sunday Herald (Glasgow) 23 Jan. (Seven Days section) 6 (caption) Out-of-sight stooshie on Taransay censors itself.
C. n.
With the. That which is unseen or not exposed to view. poetic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > [noun] > thing or person > thing not seen
out of sight1874
fly on the wall1949
1874 Ld. Lytton Fables in Song II. ii. 210 A rivulet flow'd past From out-of-sight to out-of-sight.
a1887 E. Rowland Lost Love (1906) 130 But 't is well and right Safest, you will find That the Out of Sight Should be Out of Mind.
1930 W. H. Auden Poems 18 Better where no one feels, The out-of-sight, buried too deep for shafts.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2004; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
> as lemmas
out of sight
b. Without article, in the phrase in sight, out of sight. See also out of sight adv., adj., and n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > [adverb] > in sight
in sight1377
there1535
in (full) view of1548
in prospect1555
in vista1786
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > [adverb] > out of sight
out of sight1377
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xix. 175 Blessed mote þei alle be..That neuere shal se me in siȝte as þow doste nouthe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15884 Petre he folud him on ferr, For durst he noght in sight.
c1420 Sir Amadace (Camden) xxxvii He wende that no mon hade him herd, For he seȝhe non in siȝte.
1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Cviiiv Kepe Gods feare in sight.
1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso (1674) ii. lxxix. 231 For fear of their Creditors, they have all played least-in-sight.
1717 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad III. x. 222 And hostile Troy was ever full in Sight.
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality viii, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. IV. 154 Bothwell Bridge was at a little distance, and also in sight.
1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid iii, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 159 Goats in the meadows feeding without one watchman in sight.
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adv.adj.n.c1425as lemmas