mazard: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ArchaicArchaic, Literary, Dialectal (UK rural, esp. Kent)
Quick answer
What does “mazard” mean?
An archaic or dialectal word for a wild cherry, or, more commonly, an archaic term for the head or skull.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An archaic or dialectal word for a wild cherry, or, more commonly, an archaic term for the head or skull.
Historically used to refer to a jester's cap resembling a cherry, or humorously/pejoratively to refer to a person's face or head. In Shakespearean usage, it refers to the head.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The botanical sense (a wild cherry) is/was a UK regionalism (Kent/Sussex). The 'head/skull' sense is shared as an archaic literary term, but is extremely rare in both varieties.
Connotations
In the 'head' sense, it often carried a humorous, rustic, or slightly disrespectful tone.
Frequency
Effectively obsolete in both modern UK and US English. Found almost exclusively in historical texts or discussions of such texts.
Grammar
How to Use “mazard” in a Sentence
to crack [someone's] mazarda blow to the mazardVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or literary analysis of Early Modern English texts.
Everyday
Not used. Would cause confusion.
Technical
In historical botany, for the variety of cherry.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mazard”
- Using it in modern speech. Misspelling as 'mazzard' or 'mazerd'. Assuming it's a common word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic word and is not used in modern standard English. You will only encounter it in older literature or historical discussions.
In Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' (Act V, Scene I), the Gravedigger refers to a skull: "Why, e'en so, and now my Lady Worm's, chapless, and knocked about the mazard with a sexton's spade."
They are variant spellings of the same word. 'Mazzard' is often preferred for the botanical sense (the wild cherry), while 'mazard' is common for the 'head' sense.
No. It is strictly for recognition and understanding of historical texts. Using it in modern speech or writing will sound bizarre or pretentious.
An archaic or dialectal word for a wild cherry, or, more commonly, an archaic term for the head or skull.
Mazard is usually archaic, literary, dialectal (uk rural, esp. kent) in register.
Mazard: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmæz.əd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmæz.ɚd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'Off with his mazard!' (parody of 'Off with his head!')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MAZe of bones in a skull, and it's hARD – a MAZARD.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEAD IS A CONTAINER (for thoughts) / HEAD IS A FRUIT (cherry).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'mazard' be LEAST appropriate?