Curst (T. of Sh. i. 1), shrewish, snappish, ill-tempered. It is usually supposed to be cursed; and it may be so, taking this part actively. But I rather think it is a metathesis of cross with a paragogic t, or of crossed.
Curtal-axe (As Y. L. i. 3), a corruption of cutlass (coutelas Fr., coltellaccio It.), a short strong sword: "His curtlax by his thigh, short, hooked, fine" (Fairf. G. of B. ix. 82), whence it might be inferred that it was curved.
Cut. "Draw cuts" (Com. of Err. v. 1), to draw lots of paper or straws cut in different lengths. He who drew the longest was the winner.
Cut bowstrings (M. N. D. i. 2). When a match was made to shoot at butts, each said that if he did not hold his promise they might cut his bowstring and exclude him from their society.
Damn. This word had not its present restricted sense; like damno, it meant simply to condemn, or even merely disapprove of. So damned and damnable often signified merely reprehensible.
Dancing-horse (L. L. L. i. 2), a celebrated horse belonging to one Bankes, who had taught him to dance, to count, and perform various other feats. He travelled over the Continent exhibiting him; and it is said, but probably with little truth, that both master and horse were burnt at Rome for witchcraft.
Dare (H. VIII. iii. 2) had the sense of terrify—whence derived it is hard to say—when used of taking larks in a net, by means of a hawk, or mirrors on a piece of scarlet cloth.
Day-bed (Tw. N. ii. 5, R. III. iii. 7), a couch or sofa; for it was not confined to bed-chambers.
Day-woman (L. L. L. i. 2) is generally said to be a dairy-maid; for a day-house, in the old dictionaries, is where cheeses are made. As, however, day-woman occurs only in this place, and day's-man has quite a different sense, it may be only a printer's error for 'dairy-woman.'
Defy (K. John, iii. 4, 1 H. IV. i. 3), renounce, reject, cast off—as défier, Fr., is distrust, put no trust in.