I. husky ˈhəskē, -ki adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: husk (I) + -y
1. : containing or full of husks
the kernels are plump and not very husky — Farmers Weekly (South Africa)
2. : of the nature of a husk : membranous , rattling , empty
the nut is contained in a husky shell — S.J.Watson
his footfalls were husky in cinders — Richard Llewellyn
repeated that husky phrase so often — Willa Cather
II. hus·ky adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: probably from husk (III) + -y
: dry or roughened as with emotion : hoarse
the voices of the chief women mourners had become worn and husky — J.A.Lomax
husky voices bawled at the yokes of steers — Carl Sandburg
makes all the instruments sound powerful but husky — Virgil Thomson
III. hus·ky adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: probably from husk (I) + -y; probably from the toughness and harsh texture of a corn husk
1. : big and muscular : burly , robust
a crew of husky lumberjacks
2.
a. : of sizable proportions or vigorous potential : large , powerful
a husky $19 million in the like period last year — Mitchell Gordon
a big, husky , honestly built … power cruiser — Yankee
there still was a husky United Nations army left in Korea — A.J.Liebling
b. : having or producing strength : sturdy
a husky beef stew
IV. husky noun
( -es )
: one that is husky or powerful
foremen looked over the huskies crowded in these rooms to pick their crews — American Guide Series: Minnesota
these four breeds of engines are huskies — R.M.Neal
V. husky noun
( -es )
Usage: sometimes capitalized
Etymology: probably by shortening & alteration from Eskimo
1. dialect : an Eskimo of Labrador and northeastern Canada or his language
a huge whale … which the old-time huskies had killed with harpoons and lances — D.B.Putnam
: sometimes taken to be offensive
2.
a. : a heavy-coated working dog (as an Eskimo dog or malamute) of the New World arctic region used especially as a sled dog
b. : siberian husky