subs. (colloquial).—An adept; a swell; also a man that ‘puts on side.’ At the Universities a fellow or officer of a college; whence the vulgar usage. [From Latin, dominus, a lord, through the Spanish title.]
1665. DRYDEN, The Indian Emperor, Epilogue, 21.
| For the great DONS of wit——— | |
| Phœbus gives them full privilege alone, | |
| To damn all others, and cry up their own. |
1698–1700. WARD, The London Spy, pt. xiii., p. 299. Like the Great Old DONS of the Law, when they dance the Measures in an Inns-of-Court Hall upon the first day of Christmas.
1730. JAMES MILLER, The Humours of Oxford, Act I., p. 7 (2 ed.). The old DONS … will come cringing, cap in hand, to offer to show the ladies the curiosities of the college.
1826. REYNOLDS (‘Peter Corcoran’), Song on the Fancy.
| Dull innocence! I waddle on,— | |
| Thy weary worshipper—and fain | |
| Would give thee up, to be a DON, | |
| And beat the watch in Drury Lane! |
1855. THACKERAY, The Newcomes, ch. xi. Does not go much into society, except …. once or twice to the houses of great country DONS who dwell near him in the country.
c. 1880. Broadside Ballad, sung by JENNY HILL.
| ‘’Arry, ’Arry, | |
| There you are now, ’Arry, | |
| I say, ’Arry, | |
| By Jove, you are a DON.’ |
Adj. (common).—Clever, expert; first rate. [From the subs. sense.]
