negus

¹

[ nee-guhs ]

noun

, plural ne·gus·es.

1. a title of Ethiopian royalty.
2. (initial capital letter) the Emperor of Ethiopia.

negus

²

[ nee-guhs ]

noun

1. a beverage made of wine and hot water, with sugar, nutmeg, and lemon.

Negus

¹

/ ˈniːɡəs /

noun

1. a title of the emperor of Ethiopia

negus

²

/ ˈniːɡəs /

noun

1. a hot drink of port and lemon juice, usually spiced and sweetened

Word History and Origins

Origin of negus¹

1585–95; < Amharic nəgus king < Geez, participle of nägŝä to reign

Origin of negus²

1735–45; after Colonel Francis Negus (died 1732), Englishman who invented it

Word History and Origins

Origin of negus¹

from Amharic: king

Origin of negus²

C18: named after Col. Francis Negus (died 1732), its English inventor

Example Sentences

“Oh, it is no trouble; I dare say your own hands are almost numbed with cold. Leah, make a little hot negus and cut a sandwich or two: here are the keys of the storeroom.”

From Literature

She sipped the negus, and gave it to the Chevalier to take care of.

From Project Gutenberg

The hautboys, the flutes, the fiddles and the harp were drinking hot negus extra strong in order to spur them to unwonted achievements of melody.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps negus and mutton-broth were never handed about under such dangerous circumstances.

From Project Gutenberg

Sir Lyell, sneeringly, and again placing himself before her, demanded to play the part of the domestic; and Mr Tedman, extremely disconcerted, as well as disappointed by the rejection of his negus, hung back ashamed.

From Project Gutenberg