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Definition of mannikin

mannikin

/ˈmæn.ɪ.kɪn/
man · ni · kin

Plural:mannikins
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mannikin Lexical Profile

mannikin Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An anatomical model of the human body used for teaching medical procedures, CPR, or art.

Example

"The nursing students practiced their intubation techniques on a specialized mannikin before advancing to clinical rotations."


2

A very small person; a dwarf or pygmy.

Example

"The historical fantasy novel featured a peculiar mannikin who guided the lost travelers through the dense, enchanted forest."


3

A small, brightly colored bird belonging to the family Pipridae, native to the tropical forests of the Americas.

Example

"The vibrant plumage of the male mannikin stood out sharply against the deep green canopy of the Amazonian rainforest."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for mannikin

Word Nuance & Usage

This word is highly prone to spelling confusion; 'mannikin' often serves as a variant of 'manikin' (an anatomical model), 'mannequin' (a retail display dummy), or 'manakin' (a tropical bird), though its oldest usage refers to a diminutive man.

• Rhymes for mannikin

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed into English in the 16th century from Dutch 'manneken', which is a diminutive form of 'man' (meaning 'little man').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mannikin. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mannikin
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