dinkey

or dink·y

[ ding-kee ]

noun

, plural dink·eys.

1. a small locomotive, especially with a switch engine.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dinkey¹

1840–50; noun use of dinky; -ey ²

Example Sentences

A small train called a dinkey carried the clay to a chamber, where it was pulverized.

From Washington Post

Anyone who wanted that dinkey pewter mug could have it, as far as he cared.

From Project Gutenberg

Reed lifted the silent, wondering, big-eyed girl from the dinkey train which pulled into Cartagena from Calamar ten days later, and took her to the Hotel Mariana, where his anxious, fretting wife awaited.

From Project Gutenberg

Esther, may I have a packet of seeds? and one of those dear dinkey little watering-cans?

From Project Gutenberg

But at Quebec, the best—and I had the best—were beefy members of their dinkey colonial Government or fussy, timid barristers I had to carry on me mouth.

From Project Gutenberg