owly-eyed

comparative more owly-eyed · superlative most owly-eyed · alternative owly eied

1. Seeing better in darkness than light; day-blind or photosensitive.

   […] And he doesn't do no riding after dark near Dishpan Flats. Them poor misguided sodbusters ain't much account in most ways, but they're owly-eyed at night."

   2005, Leslie Ernenwein, High Gun, Wheeler Publishing, published 2005, →ISBN, page 47

2. Wide-eyed, naturally or from an expression of fear, shock, surprise, or excitement.

   Gabe looked owly-eyed at the fellow and then prissed his mouth.

   1961, John Myers Myers, I, Jack Swilling, Founder of Phoenix, Arizona, Hastings House, published 1961, page 118

   Synonyms: moon-eyed, saucer-eyed, wide-eyed

3. slangExtremely drunk.

   Paul was owly-eyed by then, and he tried to hide it by saying, "Must've lost m' balance," but we noticed that when he clapped a fresh holt on, he was using both his graspers.

   1951, John Sanford, A Man Without Shoes, Black Sparrow Press, published 1982, →ISBN, page 252

   Synonyms: paralytic