nicker

¹

[nik-er]

noun

1. a person or thing that nicks.

nicker

²

[nik-er]

verb (used without object)

Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.

1. neigh.

2. laugh; snicker.

nicker

³

[nik-er]

noun

plural

nickerer, nickers 

1. British Slang.,  one pound sterling.

2. Australian.,  money.

nicker

¹

/ ˈnɪkə /

verb

1. (of a horse) to neigh softly

2. to laugh quietly; snigger

nicker

²

/ ˈnɪkə /

noun

1. slang,  a pound sterling

Word History and Origins

Origin of nicker¹

First recorded in 1660–70; nick + -er ¹

Origin of nicker²

First recorded in 1785–95; apparently variant of nicher, neigher, frequentative of neigh; -er ⁶

Origin of nicker³

First recorded in 1875–80; perhaps special use of nicker ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nicker¹

C18: perhaps from _neigh

Origin of nicker²

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Instantly, Carmen felt calmer as she breathed in the smell of hay and horses and heard the loud nicker of hello from Rosie.

From Literature

Alsvindr nickered at her from his lean-to barn as she passed it.

From Literature

Pierre: “He’s out to the road! Luckily the other horses were nickering, you know, and he came back to the fence . . .”

From Washington Post

He could easily picture the “goofy,” bigheaded horse nickering for treats and their weekend camping trips to northwestern Utah.

From Washington Post

Hazel stood on the hillside in the morning sunlight, alone in the ruins except for Arion, who paced next to her, nickering impatiently.

From Literature