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

Two bedrooms and two bathrooms complete the 1,400-square-foot floor plan, including a guest suite with a murphy bed.

From Los Angeles Times

A studio apartment with a shared murphy bed became their home.

From Washington Times

“A lot of people now see the bailouts of the banks as an ongoing crime,’’ mr. murphy said.

From New York Times

He was fast in the arms uv murphies, or maniac, speaking by the card, till the bhoy Samba woke him up.

From Project Gutenberg

With murphies for to ate, An' as many pigs and childer As the fingers on me fate.'

From Project Gutenberg