ˈstäkē, -ki adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: stock (I) + -y
1. : compact, sturdy, and relatively thick in build : short, firm, and solid in shape
stockier and better plants are obtained from cuttings — F.W.Card
2. dialect England : headstrong , boisterous
3. : formal in character or manner : having a stiff, cold, or severe nature
the stocky virtues of integrity and piety — H.E.Scudder
Synonyms:
thickset , thick , chunky , stubby , squat , dumpy : stocky , like other words in this set in indicating a short and wide or thick build, is likely to be complimentary in suggesting compact sturdiness
stocky though not chubby — W.A.White
a stocky hard-hitting catcher
thickset may describe a thick, solid, burly body
too thickset for jockeying — John Masefield
a thickset old policeman
thick as a synonym for thickset in reference to body build or form is dialectal, although it may be used for bodily parts
thick lips
thick legs
chunky may indicate a body type ample but robust and solid
short and chunky, not quite fat — H.A.Sinclair
a well-fed, chunky, healthy boy
stubby , less apt than others in this set to describe human body types, indicates noteworthy lack of height or length and corresponding shortness
outfielders' gloves have longer fingers … infielders' gloves have relatively stubby fingers — New Yorker
squat and dumpy are usually uncomplimentary. squat may indicate unshapely lack of height as though suggesting a person squatting
the squat misshapen figure that flattened itself into the shadow — Oscar Wilde
anchored vessels of every sort from squat Baltic timber carriers — J.H.Wheelwright
dumpy may suggest short, lumpish gracelessness of body
stumpy, dumpy girls with their rather coarse features, big buttocks and heavy breasts — Arthur Koestler