bandy

[ ban-dee ]

verb (used with object)

, ban·died, ban·dy·ing.

1. to pass from one to another or back and forth; give and take; trade; exchange:

   to bandy blows; to bandy words.

   Synonyms: barter, swap, interchange, reciprocate

2. to throw or strike to and fro or from side to side, as a ball in tennis.
3. to circulate freely:

   to bandy gossip.

adjective

1. (of legs) having a bend or crook outward; bowed:

   a new method for correcting bandy legs.

noun

, plural ban·dies.

1. an early form of tennis.
2. Chiefly British. (formerly) hockey or shinny.
3. Obsolete. a hockey or shinny stick.

bandy

/ ˈbændɪ /

adjective

1. Alsobandy-legged having legs curved outwards at the knees
2. (of legs) curved outwards at the knees
3. knock someone bandy informal.
   knock someone bandy to amaze or astound

verb

1. to exchange (words) in a heated or hostile manner
2. to give and receive (blows)
3. often foll by about to circulate (a name, rumour, etc)
4. to throw or strike to and fro; toss about

noun

1. an early form of hockey, often played on ice
2. a stick, curved at one end, used in the game of bandy
3. an old form of tennis

Other Words From

• bandi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bandy¹

1570–80; perhaps < Spanish bandear to conduct, bandy, originally help, serve as member of a band of men. See band ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of bandy¹

C16: probably from Old French bander to hit the ball back and forth at tennis

Example Sentences

Physicists bandy around concepts like supersymmetry, technicolor, and extra dimensions.

From The Daily Beast

You bandy contradictory allegations; you no longer believe each other; you must appeal to a third party.

From Project Gutenberg

Anyway he stuck his head up and tried to catch a light without stopping his bandy.

From Project Gutenberg

The epithets are carefully arranged up a scale until they reach bandy-legged—an utterly unpardonable insult.

From Project Gutenberg

I flung Bandy Jim a piece of gold and told him I would see him again.

From Project Gutenberg

Bandy Jim did not wait for the eager question on the tip of my tongue.

From Project Gutenberg