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Definition of ouse
ouse
/uːz/
ouse
Plural:Ouses
ouse Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
British The name of several rivers in England, most notably the River Ouse in North Yorkshire which flows through the city of York, and the Great Ouse which flows through eastern England into the Wash.
Example
"The historical city of York was strategically built along the banks of the River Ouse."
2
An infusion of oak bark or other vegetable matter used in tanning leather; a tanner's liquor.
Example
"The heavy cowhides were left to steep in the ouse for several months to properly cure the leather."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for ouse• Rhymes for ouse
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The river name derives from a Celtic word likely related to '*udso-' meaning 'water', which traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root '*wed-' (water). As a term for tanning liquor, it is an archaic variant of 'ooze', from Old English 'wōs' (juice, sap).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ouse. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ouse