piccaninny

esp US pickaninny

/ (ˌpɪkəˈnɪnɪ) /

noun plural -nies

offensive a small Black or Aboriginal child
(modifier) tinya piccaninny fire won't last long

QUIZZES

DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

It’d be a real faux pas to miss this quiz on the words from August 3–9, 2020!
Question 1 of 7
What does “vacillate” mean?
to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.
to cause to be empty or unoccupied.
to assent tacitly; agree; consent.
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Word Origin for piccaninny

C17: perhaps from Portuguese pequenino tiny one, from pequeno small

Words nearby piccaninny

picayune, Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, piccalilli, piccanin, piccaninny, Piccard, piccata, Piccinni, piccolo, piccoloist
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