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skivvy1

or sciv·vy

[skiv-ee]
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noun, plural skiv·vies. Informal.
  1. Also called skivvy shirt. a man's cotton T-shirt.
  2. skivvies, underwear consisting of cotton T-shirt and shorts.
  3. a thin sweater with a round neck, usually worn over a blouse, turtleneck, or the like.
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Origin of skivvy1

First recorded in 1925–30; origin uncertain

skivvy2

[skiv-ee]British Disparaging.
noun, plural skiv·vies.
  1. a female servant, especially a chambermaid.
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verb (used without object), skiv·vied, skiv·vy·ing.
  1. to work as a skivvy.
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Origin of skivvy2

First recorded in 1910–15; origin uncertain

Usage note

This term is used with disparaging intent, implying the low rank of such a servant.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for skivvy

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • The servant is a servant, a "slavey," a "skivvy," a "Mary Jane."

    The Labour-saving House

    Dorothy Constance Bayliff Peel

  • She that was waiting on you, she's got you to skivvy for her now!

  • "I ain't no skivvy," he protests all the time, but every little odd job gets done.

  • Well, the skivvy won't think of that, and Pomeroy will guess that we're trying to communicate with him.

    The Altar Steps

    Compton MacKenzie

British Dictionary definitions for skivvy

skivvy1

noun plural -vies
  1. mainly British often derogatory a servant, esp a female, who does menial work of all kinds; drudge
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verb -vies, -vying or -vied
  1. (intr) British to work as a skivvy
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Word Origin

C20: of unknown origin

skivvy2

noun plural -vies
  1. slang, mainly US a man's T-shirt or vest
  2. (plural) slang, mainly US men's underwear
  3. Australian and NZ a garment resembling a sweater with long sleeves and a polo neck, usually made of stretch cotton or cotton and polyester and worn by either sex
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Word Origin

of unknown origin
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