cully

American  

[kuhl-ee] / ˈkʌl i /

noun

cullies plural

1. Archaic. a dupe.

2. Slang. fellow; companion.

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verb (used with object)

cullied, cullying

1. to trick; cheat; dupe.

cully British  

/ ˈkʌlɪ /

noun

1. slang pal; mate

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Etymology

Origin of cully

First recorded in 1655–65; perhaps shortening of cullion

Example Sentences

Gaming finds a man a cully, and leaves him a knave.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 10, No. 281, November 3, 1827 by Various

"Now then, cully, just you be careful 'ow you dust that there 'orse; 'e's a delicate piece, 'e is, and 'e shows the slightest scratch."

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 146, June 24, 1914 by Seaman, Owen, Sir

Say, cully, reach under my pillow and find a little book there; it’s a little Testament that my dear old mother gave me; read a little for me, will you please?

From Adventures and Reminiscences of a Volunteer A Drummer Boy from Maine by Ulmer, George T.

Thus, when by rooks a lord is plied,   Some cully often wins a bet, By venturing on the cheating side,   Though not into the secret let.

From The Poems of Jonathan Swift, D.D., Volume 1 by Browning, William Ernst

Duck cully and lice," he sang boldly, and then followed in a doubtful, hesitating quaver: "I—think—sausage.

From We of the Never-Never by Gunn, Jeannie