Lexic.us

Definition of Barmy

1. Adjective. Marked by spirited enjoyment.

2. Adjective. Informal or slang terms for mentally irregular. "It used to drive my husband balmy"

Definition of Barmy

1. a. Full of barm or froth; in a ferment.

Definition of Barmy

1. Adjective. (rare) containing barm, i.e. froth from fermented yeast ¹

2. Adjective. (chiefly British) dotty, goofy, wacko. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Barmy

1. full of barm; frothy [adj BARMIER, BARMIEST]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Barmy

barmbracks barmcake barmcakes barmcloth barmcloths barmecidal barmen barmie barmier barmiest

barmkin barmkins barmote barmotes barms barmy (current term) barn barn-owl barn burner barn burners

barn dance barn door barn doors barn find barn finds barn millet barn owl barn owls barn spider

Literary usage of Barmy

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Plaine Description of the Barmudas, Now Called Sommer Ilands: VVith the by Silvester Jourdain, William Crashaw, Richard Moore (1613)
"... A DISCOVERY "V OF THE barmy- DAS, NOW CALLED THE SOMMER Hands. *»*. }JJ» Being in ship called the sea-venture, with — — ~ ~ (whose valour and fortitude ..."

2. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage by Inc. Merriam-Webster (1994)
"Maryland, 1819 balmy, barmy Balmy is an old word, going back to the 15th century. It was used in contexts like these: sallied forth to enjoy the balmy ..."

3. An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language: To which is Prefixed, a by John Jamieson (1879)
"A barmy quean," a passionate woman ; S. barmy-BRAINED, adj. The same with barmy, sense 1. " A wheen cork-headed barmy-brained ..."

4. Malice in Kulturland by Horace Matthew Wyatt, W. Tell, E.P. Dutton (Firm) (1917)
""It's very provoking," Army-barmy said, after a long silence, "to be mistaken ... "Don't stand there muttering to yourself," said Army-barmy, staring at her ..."

5. Jamieson's Dictionary of the Scottish Language: In which the Words are by John Jamieson, John Johnstone (1867)
"1. Volatile ; giddy. Montgomery. 2. Passionate ; choleric. "A barmy quean," a passionate woman, 8. ... barmy-BRAINED, adj. Volatile; giddy. ..."

6. Specimens of the Elizabethan Drama from Lyly to Shirley, A.D. 1580-A.D. 1642 by William Henry Williams (1905)
"37. gouty: swollen, and so ill-shaped, clumsy. harmed: frothy, fermenting, and so flighty. Cf. Marston's phrase,' barmy-froths' for 'addle-pates,' and ..."

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