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dilly

[ dil-ee ]

noun

, Informal.
, plural dil·lies.
  1. something or someone regarded as remarkable, unusual, etc.:

    a dilly of a movie.



dilly

1

/ ˈdɪlɪ /

adjective

  1. slang.
    silly
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


dilly

2

/ ˈdɪlɪ /

noun

  1. slang.
    a person or thing that is remarkable
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dilly1

An Americanism first recorded in 1905–10; it was at first an adjective: “wonderful,” apparently a shortening of delicious, with -y 1 (now taken as -y 2 )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dilly1

C20: perhaps from silly

Origin of dilly2

C20: perhaps from girl's proper name Dilly
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Example Sentences

After showing promise, she was plucked out and sent to Bletchley to work in the research unit run by Dilly Knox.

After all, flu dilly-dallied last season, barely making a peep.

Why dilly-dally with teenage angst when you can bring on the Giant Robots, that was my motto.

When we entered Mr. Dilly's drawing room, he found himself in the midst of a company he did not know.

Here we are frightened at names, dilly-dallying and quarreling over idle words, when a tremendous crisis calls for acts.

But its no use dilly-dallying, and Shultz may as well understand it.

And your dad will be angry because you dilly-dallied so long.

Fer if ther is, Dilly Quinn an Bess are angels, sure as sure.

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