darn1

[dahrn] /dɑrn/
verb (used with object)
1.
to mend, as torn clothing, with rows of stitches, sometimes by crossing and interweaving rows to span a gap.
noun
2.
a darned place, as in a garment:
an old sock full of darns.
Origin
1590-1600; perhaps to be identified with Middle English dernen to keep secret, conceal, Old English (Anglian) dernan
Synonyms
1. See mend.

darn2

[dahrn] /dɑrn/
adjective, adverb
1.
darned.
verb (used with object)
2.
to curse; damn:
Darn that pesky fly!
Idioms
3.
give a darn. damn (def 13).
Origin
1775-85; see darned
British Dictionary definitions for darn

darn1

/dɑːn/
verb
1.
to mend (a hole or a garment) with a series of crossing or interwoven stitches
noun
2.
a patch of darned work on a garment
3.
the process or act of darning
Derived Forms
darner, noun
darning, noun
Word Origin
C16: probably from French (Channel Islands dialect) darner; compare Welsh, Breton darn piece

darn2

/dɑːn/
interjection, adjective, adverb, noun
1.
a euphemistic word for damn (sense 1), damn (sense 2), damn (sense 4), damn (sense 4), damn (sense 15)
Word Origin and History for darn
v.

"to mend" c.1600, perhaps from Middle French darner "mend," from darne "piece," from Breton darn "piece, fragment, part." Alternative etymology is from obsolete dern (see dern). Related: Darned; darning.

interj.

tame curse word, 1781, American English euphemism for damn, said to have originated in New England when swearing was a punishable offense; if so, its spread was probably influenced by 'tarnal, short for Eternal, as in By the Eternal (God), favorite exclamation of Andrew Jackson, among others. Related: darned (past participle adjective, 1806); darndest (superlative, 1844).

Slang definitions & phrases for darn

darn

adjective

(also darned or darnfoolor derned or durned) Wretched; nasty; silly: sentimental songs, darnfool ditties, revival hymns

adverb

: She was darn excited

interjection

(also darn it or dern it or durn it) An exclamation of disappointment, irritation, frustration, etc: Darn, I've dropped my glockenspiel!

[1780s+; euphemism for damn, which is regarded by some as taboo; probably based on earlier darnation, ''damnation,'' attested by 1798]