dizzy

views updated May 29 2018

diz·zy / ˈdizē/ • adj. (-zi·er, -zi·est) having or involving a sensation of spinning around and losing one's balance: Jonathan had begun to suffer dizzy spells | fig. he looked around, dizzy with happiness. ∎  causing such a sensation: a sheer, dizzy drop | fig. a dizzy range of hues. ∎ inf. (of a woman) silly but attractive: he only married me because he wanted a dizzy blonde.• v. (-zies, -zied) [tr.] [usu. as adj.] (dizzying) make (someone) feel unsteady, confused, or amazed: the dizzying rate of change her nearness dizzied him.DERIVATIVES: diz·zi·ly / ˈdizəlē/ adv.diz·zi·ness n.ORIGIN: Old English dysig ‘foolish’; related to Low German dusig, dösig ‘giddy’ and Old High German tusic ‘foolish, weak.’

dizzy

views updated May 23 2018

dizzy (dial.) foolish, stupid OE.; giddy XIV. OE. dysiġ = MDu. dosech, dösech, LG. dusig, dösig giddy, OHG. tusic foolish, weak, f. WGmc. *dus-, found also in OE. dys(e)liċ foolish, LG. dusen be giddy, and with l-suffix in LG. dūsel giddiness, MDu. dūselen (Du. duizelen) be giddy or stupid; see -Y 1.