Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun darling

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Irish a chuisle ("O pulse (of my heart)")

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Examples

  • Irish side when courting her as a humorous short cut to a quasi familiarity, for you may call a girl "acushla" and "Ellin darlint" when otherwise you are fully aware, but for the Irish of it, she would have to be referred to as Miss Dodworth.

    By Advice of Counsel Arthur Cheney Train 1910

  • But, sure, you wouldn't know what that is, acushla, nor what it may mean to the likes of me.

    Chennai 2010

  • Did you dream you were ating your own tripe, acushla, that you tied yourself up that wrynecky fix? —

    Finnegans Wake 2006

  • "A Bard would not betray another Bard, acushla, " Kory said, coming to Eric's defense.

    Spirits White As Lightning Lackey, Mercedes 2001

  • "A curse on it, acushla, an 'a promise av death that only two shtrong men can save you from -- an' McTee is shtrong -- so I've put away desire av killin 'him till we get you safe an' sound to the shore, colleen, acushla; but ye must trust in us, an 'follow us as ye love your life an' as I love ye!"

    Harrigan Max Brand 1918

  • "Och, Moira, acushla, sure an 'I know how 'tis to ye --" And then with a reaction to virtue, he said sternly, "An 'if they're not bad, why do they go when you call on the blessed saints?"

    Hillsboro People Dorothy Canfield Fisher 1918

  • But, sure, you wouldn't know what that is, acushla, nor what it may mean to the likes of me.

    The Valley of Fear Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1914

  • But, sure, you wouldn't know what that is, acushla, nor what it may mean to the likes of me.

    The Valley of Fear Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1914

  • But, sure, you wouldn't know what that is, acushla, nor what it may mean to the likes of me.

    The Valley of Fear Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1914

  • But, sure, you wouldn't know what that is, acushla, nor what it may mean to the likes of me.

    The Valley of Fear 1914

Comments

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  • Used as a term of addess, like dear or darling

    February 16, 2007

  • "OLD GUMMY GRANNY (Thrusts a dagger towards Stephen's hand.) Remove him, acushla. At 8.35 a.m. you will be in heaven and Ireland will be free." Joyce, Ulysses, 15

    January 1, 2008

  • Used in Patrick O'Brian, "The Ionian Mission" (1981), 14.

    December 26, 2010

  • "Parker, acushla, you're an honour to Scotland Yard."

    Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers, p 34

    January 5, 2014