givey

[ giv-ee ]

adjective

, Chiefly South Midland U.S.

, giv·i·er, giv·i·est.

1. (especially of soil) moist, soft, or spongy.
2. unsteady; rickety:

   That chair is getting a little givey.

3. (of weather) misty, rainy, or humid; damp.

Word History and Origins

Origin of givey¹

1820–30, Americanism; give + -y ¹; retention of e allows base word to be more transparent

Example Sentences

Givey Kochanowski, chair of Rilke Schule’s Academic Policy Committee, said a district loan would allow the school to avoid borrowing at higher rates on the private market.

From Washington Times

The two priests — the Rev. John Bowe, 64, who worked at the parish of St. Joseph in Warrington from 2005 to 2011, and the Rev. David Givey, 68, who retired in 2006 — were found to have violated a code of behavior that includes a ban on physical contact, but they did not abuse children, the archdiocese said.

From New York Times