murphy

¹

[ mur-fee ]

noun

, plural mur·phies.

1. an Irish or white potato.
2. any of various confidence games in which a victim is left with a sealed envelope supposedly containing money, but which contains only newspaper or scrap paper cut to the same size as paper money.

verb (used with object)

, mur·phied, mur·phy·ing.

1. to victimize or dupe in such a manner.

Murphy

²

[ mur-fee ]

noun

1. Frank, 1890–1949, U.S. statesman and jurist: associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court 1940–49.
2. Isaac, 1861–96, U.S. thoroughbred racehorse jockey.
3. William Par·ry [par, -ee], 1892–1987, U.S. physician: Nobel Prize in medicine 1934.

murphy

¹

/ ˈmɜːfɪ /

noun

1. a dialect or informal word for potato

Murphy

²

/ ˈmɜːfɪ /

noun

1. MurphyAlex1939MBritishSPORT AND GAMES: rugby league playerSPORT AND GAMES: rugby league coach Alex. born 1939, English rugby league player and coach; scored 16 tries in 27 test matches for Great Britain (1958–71)
2. MurphyEddie1951MUSFILMS AND TV: actorTHEATRE: comedian Eddie, full name Edward Regan Murphy . born 1951, US film actor and comedian. His films include 48 Hours (1982), Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Coming to America (1988), Dr Dolittle (1998), and, as a voice artist, the Shrek series of animated films (2001–10)
3. MurphyWilliam Parry18921987MUSMEDICINE: physician William Parry. 1892–1987, US physician: with G. R. Minot, he discovered the liver treatment for anaemia and they shared, with G. H. Whipple, the Nobel prize for physiology or medicine in 1934

Word History and Origins

Origin of murphy¹

First recorded in 1805–15; special uses of Murphy, a typical Irish surname

Word History and Origins

Origin of murphy¹

C19: from the common Irish surname Murphy

Example Sentences

What people should never throw onto their soils, Murphy emphasizes, is cat or dog poop, because both animals can shed harmful parasites.

From Science News For Students

Murphy has taken a lead on the matter and last year wrote three studies related to college athletes’ rights.

From Washington Post

If we’re being fair, the same could be said of Murphy’s three nominated shows and films, though each found popularity with enthusiastic fans.

From Washington Blade

Which still doesn’t explain why they preferred The Prom to Murphy’s far superior 2020 theater adaptation, The Boys in the Band.

From Time

The National Zoo’s Komodo is called Murphy, the sort of name you might give to a yellow Lab.

From Washington Post

I watched SNL—the Eddie Murphy generation—and also SCTV with Rick Moranis.

From The Daily Beast

There was The Brittany Murphy Story, dubbed a “colossal mess” by reviewers.

From The Daily Beast

Eddie Murphy opened the doors for other black actors—and black comics—who are now seeing a major amount of play in films.

From The Daily Beast

Historians will be reassured that there is a historical Murphy.

From The Daily Beast

Murphy took him under his wing, and one day he gave Rock To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With.

From The Daily Beast

Murphy was kill-crazy, and tonight the Monitor rifle in his hands had made him feel like a god.

From Project Gutenberg

Delancy caught it with one arm and a belly and passed it back through the door to Squid Murphy who was standing just outside.

From Project Gutenberg

He was twisted around in the front seat, looking over the heads of Squid Murphy and the two other gunsels in the back seat.

From Project Gutenberg

Once free of the ridges and in the open fields the way was easy, and Murphy could lend a hand to the others.

From Project Gutenberg

His gloved fingers closed on Squid Murphy and the killer called Shiv simultaneously.

From Project Gutenberg