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

Hickey wood pellets are fantastic for grilling chicken and pork.

From Popular-Science

As the critic Dave Hickey famously said, let art be “frivolous” enough to move us at a terrestrial level.

From The Daily Beast

“We are already implementing our plan and are getting good early results,” Hickey told a House oversight subcommittee July 18.

From The Daily Beast

Your Hickey in The Iceman Cometh has become legendary and most recently you played Jim Tyrone in A Moon for the Misbegotten.

From The Daily Beast

Thomas Hickey, one of Washington's own guard, was proved to be a leader in the plot, and he was sentenced to be hung.

From Project Gutenberg

With a cry Hickey dropped to the floor, a bullet in his leg.

From Project Gutenberg

Hickey stopped his groaning and rose to his elbows to watch the second round.

From Project Gutenberg

The three men, and Hickey from the floor, looked on curiously while Petersen obeyed.

From Project Gutenberg

Hickey volunteered to remain, while Sontag, Ohlsen, and Petersen should go to the brig for help.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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