Dictionary

dimber cove en · NOUN

Meanings

1. (UK, obsolete, qualifier:thieves' cant) A gentleman.
   • Is it Mr. Gramp you want, m'dimber-cove? 1901, Fergus Hume, The Millionaire Mystery:
   • "Come now, Benno my dimber cove," cried Jerry at last, "what's the game? What ha' ye brought me here for? Tip us the office!" 1918, Jeffery Farnol, Our Admirable Betty:
   • 'Tis a dimber cove,' whispered one of the younger men to a companion. 1837, Benjamin Disraeli, Venetia:
2. (UK, obsolete, qualifier:thieves' cant) A handsome man.
   • 'Dimber cove, though, ain't he?'¶ 'Except his hair,' the other girl said. 'I don't care for this newfangled fashion, neither wig nor powder.'¶ 'But a fine colour,' Betsy-Ann said, thinking it would be a pity to powder such hair: like dulling a raven's wing. 2013, Maria McCann, Ace, King, Knave:
   • I seen his son once—Mr. Charles Avondale. Cor, he's a dimber cove! Hair like gold, and eyes as'd put blue violets to shame. He ever come here? 2012, Kate Ross, A Broken Vessel:

Forms

Relateds

dimber mort

Synonyms

beautiful man (handsome man)