hose

[ hohz ]

noun

, plural hose hos·es (Archaic) hos·en [hoh, -z, uh, n].

1. a flexible tube for conveying a liquid, as water, to a desired point:

   a garden hose; a fire hose.

2. (used with a plural verb) an article of clothing for the foot and lower part of the leg; stocking or sock.
3. (of men's attire in former times)
   1. an article of clothing for the leg, extending from about the knee to the ankle and worn with knee breeches.
   2. (used with a plural verb) knee breeches.
   3. (used with a plural verb) tights, as were worn with, and usually attached to, a doublet.
4. British Dialect. a sheath, or sheathing part, as that enclosing a kernel of grain.
5. Golf. hosel.

verb (used with object)

, hosed, hos·ing.

1. to water, wash, spray, or drench by means of a hose (often followed by down ):

   to hose the garden; to hose down the ship's deck.

2. Slang.
   1. to cheat, trick, or take advantage of.
   2. to defeat decisively.
   3. to reject.
   4. Chiefly Military. to attack or assault (an area) in order to gain control quickly (sometimes followed by down ).

hose

¹

/ həʊz /

noun

1. stockings, socks, and tights collectively
2. history a man's garment covering the legs and reaching up to the waist; worn with a doublet
3. half-hose
   socks

hose

²

/ həʊz /

noun

1. a flexible pipe, for conveying a liquid or gas

verb

1. sometimes foll by down to wash, water, or sprinkle (a person or thing) with or as if with a hose

Other Words From

• hoseless adjective
• hoselike adjective
• un·hosed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hose¹

before 1100; (noun) Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch hoos, Old Norse hosa, German Hose; (v.) Middle English: to provide with hose, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hose¹

Old English hosa; related to Old High German hosa, Dutch hoos, Old Norse hosa

Origin of hose²

C15: later use of hose ²

Example Sentences

Even with some type of disaster relief, Bell said loss of land, crops and infrastructure, such as sprinkler heads, valves, pipe fittings and hoses, can set a farmer back about six years or more.

From Los Angeles Times

A Forest Service report said it could not rule out potential heavy metal impurities in retardant, which was hosed down from firefighting planes.

From Los Angeles Times

They used a water hose from a nearby home to spray down the brush.

From Los Angeles Times

The prime minister promised back in September to allow veterans to get onto social hosing lists more easily.

From BBC

It said the inspection of the system fitted to train 1J25 showed these hoses on the leading vehicle of the train "were blocked and apparently unable to discharge sand".

From BBC

Related Words

• hosiery
• sock
• tights
• tube
• tubing