dumps

pl. [DUMP (2), s.] A state of sadne , gloom, or melancholy; moping, dejection or depres sion of spirits. (Once a word in use in elegant speech, but now only vulgar.) sate solitary under a "Edwine, thus perplexed tree in dumps , musing what was best to be done."- Speed : Saron Kings (an. 617), bk. vii., ch. ix., § 8. *dump-ty, a. [DUMPY.] Dumpy; short and thick. "A little dumpty body with a yellow face."-C. Kings . ley: Two Years Ago , ch. xxv. dump-ỹ, a. [Eng. dump (1); -y.] 1. Short and thick. "Whenever he was with me, his short, dumpy , gouty, crooked fingers were continually teizing my spinnet, to his own harmonious croaking." - Student , ii. 225. 2. Dumpish, melancholy. dumpy-level, s. dunce Civil Engin. & Surv .: Gravatt's level. A spirit level having a short telescope with a large aperture, and a compa ; used for surveying purposes. The telescope is made of sufficient power to enable the surveyor to read the graduations on the staff without depending on an a istant. dun, *donne, *dunne, a. & 8. [A. S. dunn, from Ir. & Gael. doun =brown; Wel. dwn =dun, dusky.] A. As adjective: 1. Of a dull brown or brownish black color. "The lances, waving in his train, Clothe the dun heath like autumn grain." Scott: Lay of the Last Minstrel, iv. 25. *2. Dark, gloomy. "Come, thick night! And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell." Shakesp.: Macbeth , 1. 5. B. As subst.: The same as DUN-FLY (q. v.). "Ash-colored duns of several shapes and dimensions." -Walton : Angler , pt. i., ch. xxv. (note). Dun is the mouse: A proverbial saying, of rather vague signification, alluding to the color of the mouse, but frequently employed with no other intent than that of quibbling on the word done. "The game was ne'er so fair, and I am done. Tut, dun's the mouse, the constable's own word." Shakesp.: Romeo and Juliet, i. 4. dun-bird, s. The Pochard ( Fuligula ferina ). dun-cow, s . A popular name for a species of Ray ( Raia fullonica ).