welsh
[ welsh, welch ]
/ wɛlʃ, wɛltʃ /
verb (used without object) Informal: Sometimes Offensive.
to cheat by failing to pay a gambling debt: You aren't going to welsh on me, are you?
to go back on one's word: He welshed on his promise to help in the campaign.
Also
welch.
Origin of welsh
First recorded in 1855–60; perhaps special use of
Welsh
usage note for welsh
Use of this verb is sometimes perceived as insulting to or by the Welsh, the people of Wales. However, its actual origin may have nothing to do with Wales or its people; in fact, the verb is also spelled
welch.
OTHER WORDS FROM welsh
welsh·er, nounWords nearby welsh
wellspring,
welly,
welp,
wels,
welsbach burner,
welsh,
welsh black,
welsh corgi,
welsh dresser,
welsh harp,
welsh mountain
Example sentences from the Web for welsher
British Dictionary definitions for welsher (1 of 3)
welsh
welch
/ (wɛlʃ) /
verb (intr often foll by on) slang
to fail to pay a gambling debt
to fail to fulfil an obligation
Derived forms of welsh
welsher or welcher, nounWord Origin for welsh
C19: of unknown origin
British Dictionary definitions for welsher (2 of 3)
Welsh
1
/ (wɛlʃ) /
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of Wales, its people, their Celtic language, or their dialect of English
noun
a language of Wales, belonging to the S Celtic branch of the Indo-European family. Welsh shows considerable diversity between dialects
the Welsh (functioning as plural)
the natives or inhabitants of Wales collectively
Also (rare):
Welch
Word Origin for Welsh
Old English
Wēlisc, Wǣlisc; related to
wealh foreigner, Old High German
walahisc (German
welsch), Old Norse
valskr, Latin
Volcae
British Dictionary definitions for welsher (3 of 3)
Welsh
2
/ (wɛlʃ) /
noun
a white long-bodied lop-eared breed of pig, kept chiefly for bacon