dick

¹

[ dik ]

noun

, Slang.

1. Older Use. a detective.
2. Vulgar. penis.
3. Vulgar. a stupid, mean, or contemptible person, especially a man.

Dick

²

[ dik ]

noun

1. George Frederick, 1881–1967, U.S. internist.
2. Philip K., 1928–82, U.S. science-fiction writer.
3. a male given name, form of Richard.

dick

¹

/ dɪk /

noun

1. a fellow or person
2. clever dick
   clever dick a person who is obnoxiously opinionated or self-satisfied; know-all
3. See penis
   a slang word for penis

dick

²

/ dɪk /

noun

1. See detective
   a slang word for detective

Dick

/ dĭk /

1. American medical researcher who collaborated with his wife, Gladys Henry Dick (1881–1963), to isolate the bacterium that causes scarlet fever. They developed a serum for the disease in 1923.

Usage

The third sense of this word was formerly considered to be taboo and it was labelled as such in previous editions of Collins English Dictionary . However, it has now become acceptable in speech, although some older or more conservative people may object to its use

Word History and Origins

Origin of dick¹

First recorded in 1545–55; generic use of the name Dick ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of dick¹

C16 (meaning: fellow): from the name Dick, familiar form of Richard, applied generally (like Jack ) to any fellow, lad, etc; hence, C19: penis

Origin of dick²

C20: by shortening and alteration from detective ; probably influenced by proper name Dick

Idioms and Phrases

see every tom, dick, and harry .

Example Sentences

In the past quarter century, enrollment in college English departments has sunk like the Pequod in Moby Dick.

From Nautilus

Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, a Democrat and chairman of the committee, told reporters Monday that a floor vote could be held on Garland’s nomination as early as next week.

From Time

There will be a successor, but it’s hard to imagine any single person replacing everything Dick does for ProPublica.

From ProPublica

Mongan was influenced by the writings of Grantly Dick-Read, a British obstetrician credited with sparking the modern natural birth movement.

From Washington Post

As in the fiction of Dick, Lem, and Ballard, in Battlestar Galactica science and technology constantly mutate our perception of reality, home, and ourselves.

From Nautilus

Clearly, the advances were not reciprocated but Williams “continued to talk about sucking dick.”

From The Daily Beast

Former Vice President Dick Cheney has had a relatively quiet couple of years since leaving the White House.

From The Daily Beast

Those in the race—Senator Paul Simon, Rep. Dick Gephardt, Rev. Jesse Jackson—were far behind.

From The Daily Beast

He echoed Dick Cheney about global warming and said, “We should be concentrating on ISIS.”

From The Daily Beast

Dick Wadhams, a strategist for the South Dakota Republican Party, dismissed the impact of the attacks against Rounds.

From The Daily Beast

Dick was at the wharf, one day last week, when one of the up river boats arrived.

From Project Gutenberg

Hoosier hurried on board the boat, and followed Dick's instructions to the letter.

From Project Gutenberg

The Dick was apprized by us of the danger in time, and succeeded in clearing the land by tacking to the southward.

From Project Gutenberg

There's my Dick, an' he wor only ten year older, I'd gi him to yer, wi a right good wull—that a' wud.

From Project Gutenberg

At eight o'clock the next morning we got underweigh; but the Dick in weighing her anchor found both flukes broken off.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• agent
• informer
• police officer
• private eye
• private investigator
• prosecutor
• reporter
• sleuth
• spy