Heath Robinson

/ (ˈrɒbɪnsən) /

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adjective

(of a mechanical device) absurdly complicated in design and having a simple function

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Word Origin for Heath Robinson

C20: named after William Heath Robinson (1872–1944), British cartoonist

Words nearby Heath Robinson

heathery, heath family, heathfowl, heath grass, heath hen, Heath Robinson, heath wren, heathy, heat index, heating, heating degree-day

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

How to use Heath Robinson in a sentence

A bounty hunter told AFP that the suspected Texan could very well be Everett Livvix of Robinson, Illinois.
The Strange Case of the Christian Zionist Terrorist|Creede Newton|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
CPI reporters David Heath and Ben Wieder contributed to this report.
Two Texas Regulators Tried to Enforce the Rules. They Were Fired.|David Hasemyer, InsideClimate News|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Somebody suggested [we give him] a $1,000 baseball signed by Mickey Mantle [in exchange for the URL],” Robinson told me.
Ben Carson’s Bizarrely Serious, Seriously Bizarre Campaign Crew|Olivia Nuzzi|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was “some note of caution” attached to hiring Knox, thanks to the negativity from the case, Robinson said.
Amanda Knox, Cub Reporter: The Convicted Murderer Is Now Writing Theater Reviews for a Small Seattle Paper|Justin Miller|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“We approached her originally to give her the opportunity of a normal life,” Robinson told The Daily Beast.
Amanda Knox, Cub Reporter: The Convicted Murderer Is Now Writing Theater Reviews for a Small Seattle Paper|Justin Miller|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A delightful instance of this fell under my own observation, as I was walking on Hampstead Heath.
Children's Ways|James Sully
Robinson looked at him suspiciously as he took it, and the animals eyed him with evident distrust.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
"You positively convulse me, you're so very humorous," said Robinson, without a vestige of a smile.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
Here Robinson suddenly turned pale, and, hastily reaching out for his gun, sprang to his feet.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
The servant announced M. Robinson, and he entered, to the great amazement of the guests.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various