Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DASH, v.t. [In Dan. dask signifies a blow; in Sw. daska, to strike; in Scot. dusch, to rush. In Persia تَأَز taz or tauz, is an assault on an enemy. See Class Ds, No. 3, 4, 5, 14, 22, 30, 31, 40.]

1. To strike suddenly or violently, whether throwing or falling; as, to dash one stone against another. – Bacon. Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. – Matth. iv.
2. To strike and bruise or break; to break by collision; but usually with the words in pieces. Thou shalt dash them in pieces, as a potter's vessel. – Ps. ii.
3. To throw water suddenly, in separate portions; as, to dash water on the head.
4. To bespatter; to sprinkle; as, to dash a garment. – Shak.
5. To strike and break or disperse. At once the brushing oars and brazen prow / Dash up the sandy waves, and ope the depth below. – Dryden.
6. To mix and reduce or adulterate by throwing in another substance; as, to dash wine with water; the story is dashed with fables.
7. To form or sketch out in haste, carelessly. [Unusual.] – Pope.
8. To erase at a stroke; to strike out; to blot out or obliterate; as, to dash out a line or word. –Pope.
9. To break; to destroy; to frustrate; as, to dash all their schemes and hopes.
10. To confound; to confuse; to put to shame; to abash; to depress by shame or fear; as, he was dashed at the appearance of the judge. Dash the proud gamester in his gilded car. – Pope.