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dogberry

1

[ dawg-ber-ee, -buh-ree, dog- ]

noun

, plural dog·ber·ries.
  1. the berry or fruit of any of various plants, as the European dogwood, Cornus sanguinea, the chokeberry, Aronia arbutifolia, or the mountain ash, Sorbus americana.
  2. the plant itself.
  3. any of several plants, especially the dog rose, bearberry, and guelder rose.


Dogberry

2

[ dawg-ber-ee, -buh-ree, dog- ]

noun

, plural Dog·ber·rys
  1. a foolish constable in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.
  2. any foolish, blundering, or stupid official.

dogberry

1

/ -brɪ; -bərɪ; ˈdɒɡˌbɛrɪ /

noun

  1. sometimes capital a foolish, meddling, and usually old official
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


dogberry

2

/ -brɪ; ˈdɒɡˌbɛrɪ; -bərɪ /

noun

  1. any of certain plants that have berry-like fruits, such as the European dogwood or the bearberry
  2. the fruit of any of these plants
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈdogberryˌism, noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dogberry1

First recorded in 1545–55; dog + berry
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dogberry1

after Dogberry, character in Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing (1598)
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Example Sentences

Judge Dogberry ruled, "This is flat perjury to call a prince's Brother, villain."

These were the true successors of Dogberry; often infirm or aged persons appointed to keep them out of the workhouse.

How right was wise old Dogberry in his dictum that reading and writing come by nature.

Dogberry and Verges, two ignorant conceited constables, who greatly mutilate their words.

Shakspeare has, by this 'one touch of nature,' made Dogberry kin to the whole world.

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