Dictionary
goose
Pronunciation: (gOOs), [key]
—n., pl. geese for 1, 2, 4, 8, 9; goos•es for 5–7;
—v., goosed, goos•ing.
—
n.
1. any of numerous wild or domesticated, web-footed swimming birds of the family Anatidae, esp. of the genera
Anser and
Branta, most of which are larger and have a longer neck and legs than the ducks.
2. the female of this bird, as distinguished from the male, or gander.
3. the flesh of a goose, used as food.
4. a silly or foolish person; simpleton.
5. Slang.a poke between the buttocks to startle.
6. Informal.anything that energizes, strengthens, or the like:
to give the economy a badly needed goose.
7. a tailor's smoothing iron with a curved handle.
8. an obsolete board game played with dice and counters in which a player whose cast falls in a square containing the picture of a goose is allowed to advance double the number of his or her throw.
9. cook someone's goose, Informal.to ruin someone's hopes, plans, chances, etc.:
His goose was cooked when they found the stolen gems in his pocket.
—
v.t.
1. Slang.to poke (a person) between the buttocks to startle.
2. Informal.
a. to prod or urge to action or an emotional reaction:
The promise of time off may goose the workers and increase profits.
b. to strengthen or improve (often fol. by
up):
Let's goose up the stew with some wine.
c. to increase; raise (often fol. by
up):
to goose up government loans in weak industries.
d. to give a spurt of fuel to (a motor) to increase speed.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
