dowd

Definitions

1. A surname from Irish.
2. A dowdy person, especially a woman; a frump.
   archaic
3. Any of various European moths of the genus Blastobasis.

Examples

““I knew there were women-dowdies in Bengal. They come⟳ up here sometimes. But I didn't know⟳ that there were men-dowds, too.””

“He, of course, was only an unbalanced religious fanatic, whose opinions were not of the slightest consequence to anybody, whom everybody seemed to take⟳ a dislike to at sight (except ignorant paupers like⟳ the Cooneys), and whose ideal type⟳ of girl would probably be some hideous dowd, a slum-worker, a Salvation Army lassie, perhaps.”

“"You wouldn't have⟳ me a dowd, Olaf?" said she, demurely. "I have⟳ to be neat and tidy, you know⟳. You wouldn't have⟳ me going about in a continuous state of unbuttonedness and black bombazine like⟳ Mrs. Rabbet, would you?"”

“Marie was still away upon her trail. "I don't really let⟳ myself go as much as you might think⟳. I'm always dressed for breakfast, if I've been up half the night; I don't allow⟳ myself to be slovenly. And however I've had to hurry⟳ over putting the children to bed, and cooking dinner and things, I always change⟳ my blouse and put⟳ on my best slippers before Osborn comes in. I feel⟳—at home I feel⟳ as if I look⟳ quite nice; but when I come⟳ out of it"—she indicated her surroundings—"I realise⟳ I'm just a dowd who's fast losing what looks she had. When I come⟳ out, and see⟳ others, I—I know⟳ I can't compete⟳. It makes you almost afraid to come⟳ out. And Osborn—while I'm at home, plodding along, you see⟳, he's out, seeing the others all the time. He sees them in the restaurants, and they pass⟳ him in the street—girls as I used to be."”

CEFR level