The expression “coffee break” was first attested in 1952 in glossy magazine advertisements by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau.
BOUT
bust, tear, binge, bout
(noun) an occasion for excessive eating or drinking; “they went on a bust that lasted three days”
bout
(noun) a contest or fight (especially between boxers or wrestlers)
bout
(noun) a period of illness; “a bout of fever”; “a bout of depression”
turn, bout, round
(noun) (sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology 1
Noun
bout (plural bouts)
A period of something, usually painful or unpleasant.
(boxing) A boxing match.
(fencing) An assault (a fencing encounter) at which the score is kept.
(roller derby) A roller derby match.
A fighting competition.
(music) A bulge or widening in a musical instrument, such as either of the two characteristic bulges of a guitar.
(dated) The going and returning of a plough, or other implement used to mark the ground and create a headland, across a field.
Verb
bout (third-person singular simple present bouts, present participle bouting, simple past and past participle bouted)
To contest a bout.
Etymology 2
Preposition
bout
(colloquial) Aphetic form of about
Source: Wiktionary
Bout, n. Etym: [A different spelling and application of bought bend.]
1. As much of an action as is performed at one time; a going and returning, as of workmen in reaping, mowing, etc.; a turn; a round. In notes with many a winding bout Of linked sweetness long drawn out. Milton. The prince . . . has taken me in his train, so that I am in no danger of starving for this bout. Goldsmith.
2. A conflict; contest; attempt; trial; a set-to at anything; as, a fencing bout; a drinking bout. The gentleman will, for his honor's sake, have one bout with you; he can not by the duello avoid it. Shak.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
1 June 2025
BACKFIRE
(verb) come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect; “Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble”; “the political movie backlashed on the Democrats”
Coffee Trivia
