dicky

[dik-ee]

noun

plural

dickies 

1. a variant of dickey.

dicky

¹

/ ˈdɪkɪ /

noun

1. a woman's false blouse front, worn to fill in the neck of a jacket or low-cut dress

2. a man's false shirt front, esp one worn with full evening dress

3. Also called: dicky bow. a bow tie

4. an informal name for a donkey, esp a male one

5. Also called: dickybird.  dickeybird. a child's word for a bird, esp a small one

6. US and Canadian name: rumble seat. a folding outside seat at the rear of some early cars

7. Also called: boot. an enclosed compartment of a car for holding luggage, etc, usually at the rear

dicky

²

/ ˈdɪkɪ /

adjective

1. informal,  in bad condition; shaky, unsteady, or unreliable

   I feel a bit dicky today

Word History and Origins

Origin of dicky¹

C18 (in the senses: donkey, shirt front): from Dickey, diminutive of Dick (name); the relationship of the various senses is obscure

Origin of dicky²

C18: perhaps from the name Dick in the phrase as queer as Dick's hatband feeling ill

Example Sentences

He is supremely fit and has been reinvigorated by his shiny new left knee, though he has recently been kiboshed by a dicky hamstring.

From BBC

Since June, Parsons-Meares has been rushing to fulfill orders for 178 pairs of pants, 120 vests and 125 dickies for “Hamilton” alone.

From New York Times

In a satisfying first act, our outsider leads, Miles and veteran racer with a dicky ticker Carroll Shelby, played by Matt Damon, overcome a low-stakes challenge.

From The Guardian

It is a bungalow, which is ideal for someone with mobility issues – a visiting agent, Loretta Lynch, points out Bond’s dicky knee.

From The Guardian

Anyone who prefers to experience Spielberg’s Holocaust drama with the suffering and distress expunged may have problems other than a dicky bladder.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• choker