Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
noun
Short for locofoco match, a strike-anywhere phosphorus match.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: abbreviation, alt-of, archaic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A member of the Locofoco faction of the New York Democratic Party in the 1830s and 1840s.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, historical
Topics: government, politics
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Synonym of Democrat, any member of the US Democratic Party.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, archaic, derogatory, usually
Topics: government, politics
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: Democrat, any member of the US Democratic Party
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Anyone considered to subscribe to Locofocoism, the general political platform or philosophy of the Locofoco faction.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
Topics: government, politics
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Alternative letter-case form of locofoco, especially (historical, US politics) a member of the Locofoco faction of the New York Democratic Party in the 1830s and 1840s.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *stel-der. Proto-Italic *stlokos? Old Latin stlocus Latin locus Latin focus English locofoco From Latin locus (“place; cause”) and focus (“hearth; fire”), although possibly prompted by misunderstanding the prefix of locomotive (itself from locus) as instead meaning something like self- or auto-. In reference to the NY political faction, derived from the use of locofoco matches to light candles and continue a meeting the rival Tammany Hall faction had attempted to end by killing the meeting place's gaslights. Often folk etymologized to derive from Spanish loco (“crazy”).
