hickey

or hick·ie

[ hik-ee ]

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.

hickey

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hickey¹

An Americanism 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hickey¹

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

She noted that he sought medical treatment after returning from a furlough “covered with hickeys” from his then-girlfriend, now wife.

From Seattle Times

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

The couple giggle like crazy as they are driven away from the restaurant, and a paparazzi picture obtained by DailyMail.com reveals — wait for it — a hickey below Davidson’s left ear.

From Los Angeles Times

"I think she says ‘biting’ because basically my kids don’t know what hickeys are, and they were clearly hickeys."

From Fox News

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

Related Words

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