dicky
dicky Lexical Profile
dicky Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
British In poor, weak, or unreliable condition; unsound or likely to fail (especially of a body part or piece of machinery).
"He had to skip the hiking trip down the coast because of his dicky knee."
• noun
A detachable false shirtfront or collar worn under a jacket, sweater, or low-necked garment to give the appearance of a full shirt.
"The actor wore a starched white dicky beneath his tuxedo jacket to stay cool under the stage lights."
British A folding outside seat at the back of an early motor car or horse-drawn carriage.
"The children rode in the open dicky at the back of the vintage touring car."
British A small bird (used chiefly by or to children).
"The toddler pointed excitedly at the little dicky perched on the garden fence."
Word Nuance & Usage
Also spelled 'dickey'. The adjective sense meaning 'unwell or unreliable' is strictly informal British, Australian, and New Zealand usage, whereas the noun sense referring to a false shirtfront is used globally.
• Rhymes for dicky
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived in the 18th century as a diminutive of 'Dick', the traditional English pet form of the personal name Richard, historically applied to various everyday garments, small birds, and carriage seats.