vampn.1
/vamp/, U.S. /væmp/ 1. That part of hose or stockings which covers the foot and ankle; also, a short stocking, a sock. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for legs > clothing for legs and feet > [noun] > stocking > types of > short stocking or sock
vamp?c1225
sock1327
vampethc1424
vampeyc1425
short-hose1530
slip-stocking1673
almond1932
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for legs > clothing for legs and feet > [noun] > stocking > parts of > which covers foot (and ankle)
vamp?c1225
vampethc1424
vampeyc1425
vauntpe1530
vampage1555
foot1577
stocking-foot1768
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 307 Insumer ȝe habbeð leaue barfot gan & sitten. Hosen wið uten uampeð ligge in hwase wule.
1378–9 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1901) III. 587 Pro..1 pare botarum et Wampas de Dubelsols.
a1400 Seuyn Sages (W.) 843 He dede his schon of-drawe, And karf his vaumpes, fot-hot, And wente him forht al barfot.
c1425 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 654 Hec pedana, wampe.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 508/1 Vampe, of an hoose.., pedana.
?a1562 G. Cavendish Life Wolsey (1959) 148 Allthoughe..that our predycessors went vppon clothe right Somptiously, we do entend..to goo a foote frome thence wtout any suche glory, in the vamppes of my hosyn.
1676 E. Coles Eng. Dict. Vamp, a sock.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Vamps or Vampays, an odd kind of short Hose or Stockings that cover'd the Feet, and came up only to the Ancle, just above the Shooe.]
1880 T. Q. Couch E. Cornwall Words in M. A. Courtney & T. Q. Couch Gloss. Words Cornwall
2. The part of a boot or shoe covering the front of the foot; U.S., that part between the sole and the top in front of the ankle-seams.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > vamp
vamp1654
1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot iv. iv. 192 Her Grace when she had victuall'd that grand Camp, Gave me a piece of Cheese tuff as a vamp.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 14/1 Of a Shooe:..the Vamp, is all the piece that covers the top of the foot.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Vamp, the Upper Leather of a Shoe.
1770 T. Hazard Son of Robt. (1893) 288 One pair of vamps for shoes.
1785 J. Belknap Let. 18 Nov. in W. P. Cutler & J. P. Cutler Life, Jrnls. & Corr. M. Cutler (1888) II. 234 This bathing vessel..is in the form of a Slipper. He sits in the Heel, and his legs go under the Vamp.
1800 M. Edgeworth Orphans in Parent's Assistant (ed. 3) V. 87 The last-maker made a last for her, and over this Mary sewed the callico vamps tight.
1845 J. G. Whittier Shoemakers ii Now shape the sole! now deftly curl The glossy vamp around it.
1885 Harper's Mag. Jan. 280/1 The upper is found to consist,..in the case of a button boot, of a ‘vamp’ to cover the front part of the foot [etc.].
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
vampn.2
/vamp/, U.S. /væmp/ a. Anything vamped, patched up, or refurbished; a patchwork; a book of this nature.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > restoration > [noun] > renovation or renewal > refurbishment > that which is
réchauffé1805
revamp1852
vamp1884
refurb1976
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > state of being composite > [noun] > a composite thing or complex whole > of diverse elements
patchery1579
patchmenta1603
patchwork1697
vamp1884
1884 J. F. Hodgetts Older Eng. ii. 61 This name was no vamp or hybrid mixture of Latin and English.
1897 Academy 6 Mar. 274/1 Such vamps as the one I have analysed from Mr. Henley's notes can only be credited to him as brilliant luck brilliantly used.
b. A vamped or improvised accompaniment.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > section of piece of music > [noun] > accompaniment
accompaniment1697
obbligato1825
Alberti bass1845
vamp1882
backing1940
comp1946
comping1949
1882 in Imperial Dict. IV. 539.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
vampn.3
/vamp/, U.S. /væmp/ U.S. slang.
A volunteer fireman.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > extinguishing fire > [noun] > fire-fighting > fireman > specific
bitterc1467
engineman1724
pipeman1763
vamp1877
nozzle man1885
pumper1912
smoke-jumper1940
tillerman1968
first responder1975
1877 Fireman's Jrnl. 1 15/1 Our old friend..seems to have the run of the old vamps.
1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §850/2 Vamp, a volunteer fire~man.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
vampn.4
/vamp/, U.S. /væmp/ A woman who intentionally attracts and exploits men; an adventuress; a Jezebel; frequently as a stock character in plays and films.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > flirtation or coquetry > [noun] > flirt > female flirt
simper-de-cocketa1529
minx?1576
Mistress Minx1576
coquette1611
flirt1747
allumeusec1891
vampire1903
vampa1911
kikay1993
a1911 G. K. Chesterton Lunacy & Lett. (1958) xxxvi. 178 Thackeray took it for granted that Mary Stuart was a vamp.
1918 N.Y. Times 15 July 9 Enid Bennett In a New ‘Vamp’ Story... ‘The Vamp’..is a pleasing light comedy..in which Enid Bennett..appears as Nancy; an ingenuous wardroom girl at a musical comedy theatre where she hears sophisticated chorus girls tell how the female of the species may make the male buy her dinners and diamond bracelets by ‘vamping’ him... So Nancy, taking a tip from the chorus girls, ‘vamps’ him—and the wedding is a quick result.
1927 Daily Express 7 Mar. 1/4 Magda Lupescu, the red-headed vamp responsible for Rumania's dynastic troubles.
1930 G. B. Shaw Wks. VII. 156 Ask yourself whether, if the lot in life therein described were your lot in life, you would not rather be a jewelled Vamp.
1973 Times 22 Dec. 9/2 Exotic red flowers like the lips of vamps.
1976 H. R. F. Keating Filmi, Filmi v. 44 She was..playing the Vamp in a film.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
vampv.1
/vamp/, U.S. /væmp/ I. Senses relating to patching or improvisation, and related uses.
1.
a. transitive. To provide or furnish with a (new) vamp; to mend or repair with or as with patches; to furbish up, renovate, or restore. Also with up.Some further developments in dialect use are illustrated in the Eng. Dial. Dict.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > restoration > restore [verb (transitive)] > renovate or renew > refurbish
refresh1468
recoct1562
repolish1577
furbish1587
vamp1599
interpolate1623
vamp1632
new-vampa1640
revamp1803
refurbish1824
to fig up1825
rehabilitate1878
face-lift1939
refurb1970
society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > mending or repairing > [verb (transitive)] > with a patch
clouta1375
vampethc1424
vampeyc1425
piece?c1430
patch1445
vamp1699
to piece up1884
society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > mending or repairing > [verb (transitive)]
beetc975
menda1200
amenda1250
rightc1275
botcha1382
reparela1382
cure1382
repaira1387
dighta1400
emend1411
to mend up1479
restablishc1500
help1518
trimc1520
redub1522
reparate1548
accommodate1552
reinstaure1609
reconcinnate1623
to do up1647
righta1656
fixa1762
doctor1829
vamp1837
service1916
rejig1976
(a)
(b)1755 Connoisseur (1756) No. 77. 458 The woman of the town, vamped up for show with paint, patches, plumpers, and every external ornament that art can suggest.1796 F. Burney Camilla V. ix. x. 189 The apparel..would do well enough for herself, when vamped up, as she knew how.1837 B. Disraeli Venetia III. 91 Old furniture..re-burnished and vamped up.1864 C. Knight Passages Working Life I. v. 219 Our old fabric..was in danger of falling,..although we had spent large sums in vamping it up.1875 Chambers's Jrnl. 30 Nov. 749 Old boots and shoes are sold to men who vamp them up in such a style that their former owners would not know them.1599 J. Minsheu Percyvall's Dict. Spanish & Eng. at Cabeçado The vamping or putting to the instops to bootes.
a1627 T. Middleton & W. Rowley Old Law (1656) ii. 16 What a time did we endure In two penny Commons? and in bootes twice vamp'd.
1655 J. Shirley Gentleman of Venice iii. ii Giovanni. In the mean time buy thee a sword and belt, And what is fit. (Gives him money). Georgio. No more: I'll be a soldier... This will Suffice to vamp my body.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew To Vamp, to new Dress, Licker, Refresh, or Rub up old Hatts, Boots, &c.
1844 A. Smith Adventures Mr. Ledbury I. xiv. 181 Various new-footed boots..vamped and polished to the last pitch of ingenuity.
1860 R. W. Emerson Illusions in Conduct of Life (London ed.) 283 Plod and plough, vamp your old coats and hats, weave a shoestring.
1884 A. Griffiths Chron. Newgate I. i. 33 Blankets vamped in foreign parts with the hair of oxen.
b. transferred and figurative. (Frequently with reference to literary compositions.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > restoration > restore [verb (transitive)] > renovate or renew > refurbish
refresh1468
recoct1562
repolish1577
furbish1587
vamp1599
interpolate1623
vamp1632
new-vampa1640
revamp1803
refurbish1824
to fig up1825
rehabilitate1878
face-lift1939
refurb1970
(a)
(b)1741 W. Oldys et al. Betterton's Hist. Eng. Stage 151 He attempted to commence Dramatic-Poet, by vamping up an old Play or two of Massinger and Decker.1752 Visct. Bolingbroke Lett. Study Hist. v. 159 They maintained the dignity of history, and thought it beneath them to vamp up old traditions.1825 J. Foster Let. in Life & Corr. J. Foster (1846) II. 67 The expedient of vamping up an old sermon.1902 L. Stephen Stud. of Biographer IV. i. 21 I could not suppose that they were merely vamping up old material.1632 Song in Lyly Sappho ii. iii. 109 To th' Tap-house then lets gang, and rore, Cal hard, tis rare to vamp a score.
1651 Poem in T. Fuller Abel Redevivus 408 Let them strive to vamp Their wasted Mem'ryes, by another Lampe.
1682 N. O. tr. N. Boileau-Despréaux Lutrin i. 1 The Argument? what needs a Proëme, To vamp a Three-half~penny Poeme?
1709 J. Swift Baucis & Philemon 7 He..Knew how to Preach old Sermons next, Vampt in the Preface and the Text.
1743 W. Ellis London & Country Brewer (ed. 2) III. 238 Vamping Malt-Liquors.—Is of late much in Practice for its excellent Service in recovering, preserving, and fining strong October and March Beers.
1793 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) II. 721 A Prologue, Epilogue, or some such matter, 'Twould vamp my Bill,..if nothing better.
1810 G. Crabbe Borough xvi. 219 When on each feature Death had fix'd his stamp, And not a Doctor could the Body vamp.
1867 R. W. Emerson May-day & Other Pieces 38 Chemist to vamp old worlds with new.
1883 Daily News 8 Dec. 2/8 I meant to suggest that the Central News were parties to ‘vamping’ the telegram... What do you mean by ‘vamping’?—Inserting matter which is not in any original telegram.
2. † b. With personal object: To convert into, to bring forward as, something. Obsolete.
a. transferred. To make or produce by or as by patching; to adapt, compile, compose, put together (a book, composition, etc.) out of old materials; to serve up (something old) as new by addition or alteration. Also with up (frequently = trump v.3 5c).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > restoration > restore [verb (transitive)] > renovate or renew > from old materials
vamp1644
restring1797
(a)
absolute.1772 A. Murphy Grecian Daughter Prol. 5 Historians..who only take Scissars and paste;—cut, vamp; a book they make.(b)1692 R. Bentley Confut. Atheism from Struct. & Origin Humane Bodies: Pt. II 3 Which opinion hath been vamp'd up of late by Cardan and Cesalpinus, and other News-mongers.1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World I. 123 I set myself down, and vamped up a fine flaunting, poetical panegyric.1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. 197 The usurpers..for the most part endeavoured to vamp up some feeble shew of a title by descent.1814 Trewman's Exeter Flying-post 16 June 1 The falshood was vamped up on the authority of a pretended letter.1858 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire VI. liii. 204 Forged letters were produced, a case of Majestas was vamped up.1894 G. A. Sala London up to Date ii. i. 23 I have vamped up my description of the function from accounts which I have read.1644 J. Bulwer Chirologia 113 This absurd motion of the armes, makes an Oratour seeme..as if he newly came from vamping his Oration.
1754 S. Foote Knights Pref. p. v The three principal Characters..are neither vamp'd from antiquated Plays, pilfer'd from French Farces, nor the baseless Beings of the Poet's Brain.
1774 Child of Nature II. 205 They consist, in general, of old characters, old incidents, and old catastrophes, vamped out in the language and dress of the day.
1827 T. Carlyle Richter in Edinb. Rev. June 179 Well are he and Hennings of Gotha aware that this thing of shreds and patches has been vamped together for sale only.
1880 Literary World 17 Dec. 416 Industry worthy of the veriest drudge that vamps books together for his daily bread.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > pretend, simulate, feign [verb (transitive)] > true or better condition
vampa1658
verify1768
a1658 J. Cleveland Char. Diurnall-maker (1677) 101 It is like over-reach of Language..when a clumsie Cobler usurps the Attribute of our English Peers and is vamp'd a Translator.
1661 K. W. Confused Characters 27 For..his preferment hath metamorphosed the antient titles of his progeneters..into Master, and now he is vampt a Gentleman.
1773 J. Berridge Christian World Unmasked 124 Some people only vamp him up as a prophet, and trample on his blood.
3.
a. Music. To improvise or extemporize (an accompaniment, tune, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform (music) [verb (transitive)] > improvise
improvisoa1768
vamp1789
improvise1858
mess1926
busk1934
rhyme1939
jam1955
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform (music) [verb (transitive)] > improvise > accompaniment
vamp1789
1789 C. Burney Gen. Hist. Music III. 102 (note) I remember, very early in my musical life, to have heard one of the town waits, at Shrewsbury, vamp a base upon all occasions.
1861 H. Mayhew London Labour (new ed.) III. 191/2 As soon as I could get in to vamp the tunes on the banjo a little.
1897 Sir A. Sullivan in Strand Dec. 654/1 Then the voice parts are written out by the copyist, and the rehearsals begin; the composer..vamping an accompaniment.
b. intransitive. To improvise an accompaniment.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform music [verb (intransitive)] > improvise or extemporize > an accompaniment
vamp1876
1876 J. Stainer & W. A. Barrett Dict. Musical Terms 445/1.
1884 Birmingham Daily Post 23 Feb. 3/5 Pianist and Vocalist; one who can vamp.
II. Senses relating to making one's way or tramping.
4.
a. intransitive. To make one's way on foot; to tramp or trudge. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > going on foot > go on foot [verb (intransitive)] > laboriously or aimlessly
haik?a1500
harl?a1513
trudge1547
palt1560
ploda1566
traipse1593
trash1607
truck1631
tramp1643
vamp1654
trudgea1657
daggle1681
trape1706
trampoose1794
hike1809
slog1872
taigle1886
pudge1891
sludge1908
schlep1937
schlump1957
1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot iii. ii. 73 If my hard hearted Queen should vamp to Charon.
1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot iv. xxv. 285 That is the Knight, that must be the example, That the prime horse, that with Knight-Errants vamp will.
a1669 H. Foulis Hist. Romish Treasons (1671) iii. v. 182 When Humility vamps on foot.
1705 Wandering Spy No. 19. 73 I Vaumpt along Cheapside, down the Poultry.
1747 T. Hazard, Son of Robt. (1893) 241 Our chief concern was about packing up our alls and vamping off.
1887 T. Hardy Woodlanders I. ii. 24 I shouldn't have vamped all these miles for any less important employer.
1891 T. Hardy Tess of the D'Urbervilles I. i. 12 Well, vamp on to Marlott, will 'ee, and order that carriage.
1893 G. E. Dartnell & E. H. Goddard Gloss. Words Wilts.
b. transitive. To tramp or walk (the streets). rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > going on foot > traverse on foot [verb (transitive)] > the streets
vamp1898
1898 T. Hardy Wessex Poems 55 We vamped the streets in the stifling air.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
vampv.2
/vamp/, U.S. /væmp/ slang.
transitive. To pawn.In later slang dictionaries.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > financial dealings > borrowing money > borrow money [verb (transitive)] > pawn
to give (also have, lay, put, take) to pledgec1384
to set, put, lay to or in wedc1384
engage1525
pawn1570
to lay (up) in lavender1584
impawn1598
oppignorate1622
pignorate1623
dip1640
to put to lumber1671
vamp1699
pop1731
sweatc1800
spout1811
lumber1819
up the spout1819
hock1878
soak1882
to put away1887
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew (at cited word) I'll Vamp and tip you the Cole, I'll Pawn my Cloths, but I'll raise the Money for you.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
vampv.3
/vamp/, U.S. /væmp/ 1. intransitive. To behave seductively; to act as a vamp, to be a vamp. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > flirtation or coquetry > flirt, philander, or dally [verb (intransitive)]
flicker?c1225
dallyc1440
mird?c1625
pickeer1646
to dally away1685
niggle1696
coquet1700
gallant1744
philander1778
flirt1781
fike1804
gallivant1823
butterfly1893
vamp1904
romance1907
to fool up1933
floss1938
cop1940
horse1953
1904 G. Ade True Bills 60 Any time that he fills in from eight o'clock to Midnight he certainly has to do some Vamping.
1922 Observer 1 Oct. 5/4 Trollope's Signora Neroni certainly vamped.
2. transitive. To act as a vamp towards; to attract and exploit (a man, occasionally a woman).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > flirtation or coquetry > flirt with [verb (transitive)]
gallant1672
coquet1725
chat1898
trick1913
vamp1918
to make time with1934
to come on1948
chirpse1997
1918 N.Y. Times 15 July 9 Enid Bennett In a New ‘Vamp’ Story... ‘The Vamp’..is a pleasing light comedy..in which Enid Bennett..appears as Nancy; an ingenuous wardroom girl at a musical comedy theatre where she hears sophisticated chorus girls tell how the female of the species may make the male buy her dinners and diamond bracelets by ‘vamping’ him... So Nancy, taking a tip from the chorus girls, ‘vamps’ him—and the wedding is a quick result.
1922 M. B. Houston Witch-man xii. 149 Look..! Cinderella is trying to vamp him, as Marion says.
1927 Observer 20 Mar. 15/3 Her friend, Violet Usher..shamelessly vamped Randall, and he felt obliged to marry her.
1939 L. M. Montgomery Anne of Ingleside xxv. 166 Don't try to vamp me, woman. I've paid you all the compliments I'm going to.
1973 T. Pynchon Gravity's Rainbow ii. 245 Eager young chaps with patent-leather hair rush about trying to vamp the ladies.
1979 D. Anthony Long Hard Cure xix. 150 Gavin's secret girl, who vamped him on the nights those four women were assaulted.
Draft additions 1993
3. Black English (chiefly U.S.). intransitive and transitive. Frequently with on. To attack physically; to persecute, intimidate; also spec., to arrest.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > persecute
seekc825
baitc1175
war?c1225
pursuec1300
chase1340
course1466
persecutea1475
suea1500
pickc1550
pursuit1563
prosecute1588
exagitate1602
dragoon1689
harass1788
martyr1851
dragonnade1881
witch-hunt1919
vamp1970
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > arrest > [verb (transitive)]
at-holda1230
attacha1325
resta1325
takec1330
arrest1393
restay?a1400
tachec1400
seisinc1425
to take upa1438
stowc1450
seize1471
to lay (also set, clap, etc.) (a person) by the heels?1515
deprehend1532
apprehend1548
nipa1566
upsnatcha1566
finger1572
to make stay of1572
embarge1585
cap1590
reprehend1598
prehenda1605
embar1647
nap1665
nab1686
bone1699
roast1699
do1784
touch1785
pinch1789
to pull up1799
grab1800
nick1806
pull1811
hobble1819
nail1823
nipper1823
bag1824
lag1847
tap1859
snaffle1860
to put the collar on1865
copper1872
to take in1878
lumber1882
to pick up1887
to pull in1893
lift1923
drag1924
to knock off1926
to put the sleeve on1930
bust1940
pop1960
vamp1970
1970 R. Seale Seize Time 16 Some of them were dudes Huey used to fight. He had gotten into some tight situations with some of them, and they knew that he'd vamp on them if they got wrong.
1971 Black Scholar June 53/2 We were..forced to break up our toilet bowls, sinks and beds in order that we might defend ourselves..from those space-men looking pigs with their clubs, mace, and array of gas-masks, oxygen cans..with which we were vamped on.
1972 Britannica Bk. of Year 1971 733/3 Vamp, to put under arrest—usually used with on.
1988 E. Leonard Freaky Deaky xiv. 135 When the man goes to the men's room, I want you to follow him in and start to vamp on him. Tell him it's fifty bucks to take a piss or you gonna cut his dick off.
1990 Newsday 26 Aug. 23/4 Several inmates said they have been ‘vamped’ on their way to the commissary and have been sexually abused.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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n.1?c1225
n.21882n.31877n.4a1911
v.11599
v.21699v.31904