'At a blow' definitions:
Definition of 'At a blow'
From: GCIDE
- Blow \Blow\, n. [OE. blaw, blowe; cf. OHG. bliuwan, pliuwan, to beat, G. bl[aum]uen, Goth. bliggwan.]
- 1. A forcible stroke with the hand, fist, or some instrument, as a rod, a club, an ax, or a sword. [1913 Webster]
- Well struck ! there was blow for blow. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 2. A sudden or forcible act or effort; an assault. [1913 Webster]
- A vigorous blow might win [Hanno's camp]. --T. Arnold. [1913 Webster]
- 3. The infliction of evil; a sudden calamity; something which produces mental, physical, or financial suffering or loss (esp. when sudden); a buffet. [1913 Webster]
- A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- At a blow, suddenly; at one effort; by a single vigorous act. "They lose a province at a blow." --Dryden.
- To come to blows, to engage in combat; to fight; -- said of individuals, armies, and nations. [1913 Webster]
- Syn: Stroke; knock; shock; misfortune. [1913 Webster]
Words containing 'At a blow'
- Blow,
- Blowing,
- To blow off,
- To blow out,
- To blow over,
- To blow up,
- blow down,
- blow in,
- blow off,
- blow out,
- blow over,
- blow up,
- blowing up,
- blow-by-blow,
- Blow valve,
- Blow-off,
- Blow-out,
- Blowing Rock,
- By-blow,
- Dry blow,
- To blow upon,
- To come to blows,
- blow a fuse,
- blow drier,
- blow dryer,
- blow fly,
- blow gas,
- blow job,
- blow out of the water,
- blow the whistle,
- blow tube,
- blow-by,
- blowing adder,
- blowing gas,
- blowing tube,
- glass blowing,
- joe blow,
- low blow,
- mind blowing,
- strike a blow,
- Blowing Rock, NC,
- To blow great guns,
- To blow hot and cold,
- To blow one's own trumpet,
- blow hot and cold,
- blow one's stack,
- blow-dry,
- mind-blowing,
- to blow one's stacks