DICKEY


Meaning of DICKEY in English

I. noun

also dicky ˈdikē, -ki

( plural dickeys also dickies )

Etymology: from the nickname Dicky, diminutive of Dick

1. : any of various articles of clothing: as

a. dialect England : petticoat

b. : a man's separate or detachable shirtfront usually worn under a jacket in place of a shirt and sometimes in addition to a shirt especially with clerical garments

c. chiefly New England : a detachable shirt collar

d. : a small fabric insert that is worn to fill in the neckline of a dress, jacket, or other garment and give the appearance of a blouse

2. : one of various animals:

a. dialect Britain : a male donkey : jack

b.

(1) also dickeybird or dickybird ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ : a small bird (as a sparrow or a canary)

(2) dialect England : hedge sparrow

3. chiefly Britain

a. also dickey box : the seat for the driver at the front of a carriage

b. : a seat at the back of a carriage or automobile : rumble seat

4. : a supplementary device used in textile manufacturing ; especially : an additional roll used to keep the working rolls clear in textile manufacturing

II. adjective

or dicky “

Etymology: origin unknown

: of poor quality : being in bad condition : shaky , weak

a dickey leg

communications that are in a dickey state

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.