cosh

¹

[ kosh ]

noun

1. a blackjack; bludgeon.

verb (used with object)

1. to hit on the head with a cosh.

cosh

²

[ kosh ]

noun

, Mathematics.

1. hyperbolic cosine.

cosh

¹

/ ˈkɒsˈeɪtʃ; kɒʃ /

noun

1. hyperbolic cosine; a hyperbolic function, cosh z = 1 2 (e z + e –z ), related to cosine by the expression cosh i z = cos z, where i = √–1

cosh

²

/ kɒʃ /

noun

1. a blunt weapon, often made of hard rubber; bludgeon
2. an attack with such a weapon

verb

1. to hit with such a weapon, esp on the head

cosh

1. Abbreviation of hyperbolic cosine

Word History and Origins

Origin of cosh¹

First recorded in 1865–70; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Romani kosh, koshter “piece of wood,stick,” akin to Sanskrit kāṣṭham

Origin of cosh²

First recorded in 1870–75; cos(ine) + h(yperbolic)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cosh¹

C19: from cos ( ine ) + h ( yperbolic )

Origin of cosh²

C19: from Romany kosh, from koshter skewer, stick

Example Sentences

A 69-year-old man who armed himself with a wooden cosh and joined a "mob" which took part in the destruction of the library was jailed on Thursday for two years and eight months.

From BBC

She told the BBC: "She felt under the cosh... No support was offered to her whatsoever."

From BBC

With deflation setting in and growth slowing, it's little surprise that China's stocks, bonds and currency are under the cosh.

From Reuters

But the visitors were soon back under the cosh and tread a fine line with their discipline, coughing up penalty after penalty despite being on a warning.

From BBC

I wanted to know I could get to that point and get through it, because that could be the spell where we are under the cosh.

From BBC

Related Words

• bash
• bludgeon
• clobber
• pummel
• whack