Morse

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /mɔːs/

From Middle French mors, from Latin morsus ("bite; clasp"), from mordere ("to bite").

Full definition of morse

Noun

1. A clasp or fastening used to fasten a cope in the front, usually decorative. from 15th c.
• 1890, Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, ch. XI:The morse bore a seraph's head in gold-thread raised work.

Origin uncertain. Compare Russian морж (morž, "walrus"), Saami morša, Finnish mursu (all attested later).

Noun

1. (now rare) A walrus. from 15th c.
• 1880-1881: Clements R Markham (editor), The Voyages of William Baffin, 1612-1622:Then we passed through a great deale of small ice, and sawe, upon some peices, two morses, and upon some, one; and also diuers seales, layeing upon peices of ice.

Anagrams

• mores, omers, s'more, somer