Etymology An American English variant of curse; for a similar phonetic development, compare ass (“buttocks”), from arse, in which the r was originally pronounced (as in curse). Etymology 1, noun sense 3 (“fellow, person”) is from the replacement of a derogatory or affectionate curse word like bitch in son of a bitch with the word cuss, after etymology 1, noun sense 2 (“curse word”).
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US, Colloquial To use cursing, to use bad language, to speak profanely.
I went over the fence like a shot, and ran like one o'clock for the trap, cussing and swearing as I went.1899, H. G. Wells, Mr. Brisher's Treasure:
Etymology An American English variant of curse; for a similar phonetic development, compare ass (“buttocks”), from arse, in which the r was originally pronounced (as in curse). Etymology 1, noun sense 3 (“fellow, person”) is from the replacement of a derogatory or affectionate curse word like bitch in son of a bitch with the word cuss, after etymology 1, noun sense 2 (“curse word”).
He's an abrupt-sounding cuss, but good-hearted too.
Biggest rascal [...] and the most likable cuss I've run up against in a year.1912, Ainslee's, volume 28, page 130:
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Polybius was a determined cuss and he kept at the fruit cart until he saved enough to start a regular fruit store.1920, International Fire Fighter, volumes 3-4, page 26:
In fact, I'd like to recommend that every village and town go out of its way to make sure it still has an ornery cuss in its midst. [...] Wanted: More Ornery Cusses Prime Fathers1999, Freya Manfred, Frederick Manfred: A Daughter Remembers, page 176:
"He's [...] Just an ornery cuss.'"2023, P. C. Wren, Beau Geste - Complete Series: Beau Geste Trilogy & Good Gestes Tales:
Seemingly here was an intruder who was violating custom. Moreover, the partners had come to look upon this exceedingly rich district as their exclusive property. And so their indignation was extreme. "The low-down, ornery cuss!" said Dobbs. "The nerve of him, crowdin' in on us, just as if there wasn't lots of other places for him to go!"1922, A. M. Chisholm, A Thousand a Plate:
"Proud young cuss, aren't you?" "Apparently - I don't know." "Or is it you are just pig-headed?"1936, F.J. Thwaites, chapter I, in The Redemption, Sydney: H. John Edwards, page 6:
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Talk about the boy saying to the girl, “Golly, baby, I’m a lucky cuss!”1949, “Happy Talk”, in Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics), Richard Rogers (music), South Pacific:
Dawn Run's owner, Charmian Hill, who had insisted on trainer Paddy Mullins 'jocking off' his son Tony and putting up Jonjo O'Neill to ride her in the Gold Cup, was an awkward cuss too.2012, Robin Oakley, Britain and Ireland's Top 100 Racehorses of All Time: