touse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareArchaic
Quick answer
What does “touse” mean?
To pull or tear something roughly, causing disorder or disarrangement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To pull or tear something roughly, causing disorder or disarrangement.
Can refer to causing commotion or tumult in a figurative sense, often implying rough handling.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage, as the word is archaic in both variants.
Connotations
Similar connotations of roughness, disorder, and occasional tumult.
Frequency
Equally uncommon in both British and American English, primarily found in older literary works.
Grammar
How to Use “touse” in a Sentence
transitive: subject + touse + objectpassive: be + toused + by agentVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “touse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The wind toused her hair as she strolled along the beach.
- Children often touse their toys during rough play.
American English
- After the storm, the dog toused the blankets in the yard.
- He toused the documents while searching frantically.
adjective
British English
- Her toused appearance suggested a long, exhausting journey.
- The toused sheets indicated a restless night.
American English
- The room looked toused after the party, with furniture out of place.
- His toused hair gave him a wild, unkempt look.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; not typical in business contexts due to its archaic nature.
Academic
May appear in literary, historical, or linguistic studies; otherwise uncommon.
Everyday
Very rare; mostly encountered in older literature or poetic language.
Technical
Not used in technical fields; lacks specialized meanings.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “touse”
- Using 'touse' in modern casual speech where it sounds outdated or archaic.
- Mispronouncing as /tuːz/ instead of the standard /taʊz/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'touse' is considered archaic and is rarely used in contemporary language, except in literary or historical contexts.
Primarily, 'touse' is a verb, but it can appear in nominalized forms like 'a touse' meaning a state of disorder, though this is uncommon.
It is pronounced /taʊz/, rhyming with words like 'house' or 'rouse' in both British and American English.
Appropriate contexts include historical writing, poetry, or descriptive passages where an archaic tone is desired to convey roughness or disorder.
To pull or tear something roughly, causing disorder or disarrangement.
Touse is usually archaic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “all in a touse”
- “in a touse of confusion”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'touse' as similar to 'rouse' but with tearing; imagine tousling hair roughly after waking up.
Conceptual Metaphor
Disorder is physical disruption; chaos as being pulled apart or violently handled.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'touse'?