Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
plain as a pikestaff. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
plain as a pikestaff, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
plain as a pikestaff in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
plain as a pikestaff you have here. The definition of the word
plain as a pikestaff will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
plain as a pikestaff, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
The word "pikestaff" in this expression is a corruption of packstaff (“the staff used to carry a bundle over the shoulder”).
Pronunciation
Adjective
plain as a pikestaff (not comparable)
- (simile) Synonym of plain as day.
1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 12: Cyclops]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, , →OCLC:―Don't you know he's dead? says Joe. / ―Paddy Dignam dead! says Alf. / ―Ay, says Joe. / ―Sure I'm after seeing him not five minutes ago, says Alf, as plain as a pikestaff. / ―Who's dead? says Bob Doran. / ―You saw his ghost then, says Joe, God between us and harm.
Translations
extremely clear and plain to see
References
- ^ Cresswell, Julia (2010 September 9) Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins, OUP Oxford, →ISBN
- ^ Apperson, George Latimer (2006 May 10) Dictionary of Proverbs, Wordsworth Editions, →ISBN, page 460