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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

helluv en · ADJ · etymology 1

Pronunciation

Etymology

From "hell of (a)", like hella (originally Northern California slang). See also Wikipedia:Hella (word).

Meanings

  1. (Northern-California, not-comparable, slang) Intensifier, signifies an abundance of a thing; much or many.
    • […] and all of the other people I have met who show me helluv love when I come through your town. 2006, Joylynn Jossel, When Souls Mate:
    • Hey, if you guys get the munchies, there's helluv candy in the cupboard.

Synonyms

mad

helluv en · ADV · etymology 1

Pronunciation

Etymology

From "hell of (a)", like hella (originally Northern California slang). See also Wikipedia:Hella (word).

Meanings

  1. (Northern-California, not-comparable, slang) Intensifier (modifies verbs); to a large extent; totally; very much.
    • “[…]. This helluv hurts.” We grownups burst out laughing, and I hugged her bony adolescent shoulders. 2002, Peggy Vincent, Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife, page 225:
    • Dude, I helluv want to go to the show with you, but I'm soooo grounded.
  2. (Northern-California, not-comparable, slang) Intensifier (modifies adjectives); to a large degree; extremely; exceedingly.
    • “We had the baby, like two minutes ago. It was helluv icy. […] Naeema was so brave, just hellabitchin', and I delivered the baby myself 'cause we have this hellafresh midwife who taught me how to do it.” 2002, Peggy Vincent, Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife, page 226:
    • That new girl is helluv sexy.
    • “Man, if I had never been to California and read that magazine, I would be helluv scared to come out there!” 2003, Adrienne Anderson, Word: Rap, Politics and Feminism, page 14:

Synonyms

wicked (extremely, modifies adjectives)

helluv en · INTJ · etymology 1

Pronunciation

Etymology

From "hell of (a)", like hella (originally Northern California slang). See also Wikipedia:Hella (word).

Meanings

  1. (Northern-California, slang) For sure; totally; hell yeah; used as a strong affirmation of something that was just said, accomplished, or revealed.
    • "Hey, you wanna come to the concert tonight?" "Oh, helluv!"

Relateds

hella · the hell · helluva · hell

helluv en · X · etymology 2

Pronunciation

Etymology

Shortened form, or elision, of phrases like "hell of" or "hell have", approximating casual speech in writing.

Meanings

  1. (colloquial, contraction) Elision of "hell of".
    • “That's the helluv it — beggin' yer pardon, miss...” 1997, Kat Martin, Innocence Undone, page 297:
    • Oh, you goddam-betcha, Julie, it's one helluva lot better — one HELLUV A lot better — to be born dirt-poor. Course then you get to stay that way the rest of your life. 1977, Curt Johnson, The Morning Light, page 214:
  2. (colloquial, contraction) Elision of "the hell of".
    • “Helluv it is,” he grumbled. “I was thinking of marrying her myself. Wrote her a letter, but it didn't get posted in time.” 1997, Kat Martin, Innocence Undone, page 173:
  3. (colloquial, contraction) Elision of "hell have"
    • Where the helluv you been? 1973, Richard Cowper, Clone, page 99: