hickey

American  

[hik-ee] / ˈhɪk i /

Or hickie

noun

1. Slang.

   1. a pimple.

   2. a reddish mark left on the skin by a passionate kiss.

2. any device or gadget whose name is not known or is momentarily forgotten.

3. Electricity. a fitting used to mount a lighting fixture in an outlet box or on a pipe or stud.

4. a tool used to bend tubes and pipes.

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hickey British  

/ ˈhɪkɪ /

noun

1. informal an object or gadget: used as a name when the correct name is forgotten, etc; doodah

2. informal a mark on the skin, esp a lovebite

3. printing a spot on a printed sheet caused by an imperfection or a speck on the printing plate

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Etymology

Origin of hickey

An dating from 1905–10 of obscure origin; senses under hickey def. 1 perhaps a separate word, though the development “device,” from “defective device,” from “defect, blemish, mark” is also possible; doohickey

Example Sentences

The new season focuses on Nick and Charlie’s couple stuff: sharing a bed during a class trip to Paris, navigating hickey shame, coming out about their relationship.

From New York Times

Joining us by video call from LA, Ezinma is full of enthusiastic energy as she discusses her career so far, even showing off the "violin hickey" that's developed on her neck after years of playing.

From BBC

“He eventually sucked a huge hickey on my chin, but man it was so sweet!”

From Fox News

She allegedly told police that she was informed by her sister-in-law that Fanene was seen in Hawaii with another woman and that Fanene had a “hickey” on his neck.

From Washington Times

Police say Cobo-Perez was warned to stay away from the girl after her mother saw a hickey on her neck last November.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• blot
• blotch
• bruise
• discoloration
• freckle
• imperfection
• pimple
• scar
• smudge
• snag
• stain
• stigma
• wart