I. ˈsandē, ˈsaan-, -di adjective
( usually -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English sandig, from sand + -ig -y — more at sand
1. : consisting of, abounding in, or containing sand : full of sand : covered or sprinkled with sand
confined to the rocky region and sandy pools — W.H.Dowdeswell
2. : of the color sand
sandy hair
3. : resembling sand: as
a. : lacking stability : being without firmness : unsound
the foundation on which to base a friendship was too sandy
b. : lacking interest : dry , stale
a criticism … that it contained long sandy stretches — A.W.Long
c. : full of pluck : possessing grit
the … cool and sandy regular army man — A.J.Mekeel
4. archaic : of or relating to the time measured by the sand in a sandglass
ere the glass … finish the process of his sandy hour — Shakespeare
5.
a. : that grains like sand — used of varnish, paint, chemicals
b. : containing lactose crystals — used of ice cream
II. noun
( -es )
Etymology: sand (I) + -y (n. suffix)
1. Britain : ring plover
2. : sand crab 1a(2)
III. noun
( plural sandys or sandies )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: from Sandy, nickname for Alexander, a common Scottish Christian name
: scotchman