nixie

¹

[ nik-see ]

noun

1. a letter or parcel that is undeliverable by the post office because of a faulty or illegible address.

nixie

²

[ nik-see ]

noun

, German Folklore.

1. a female water spirit.

nixie

/ ˈnɪksɪ /

noun

1. German myth a female water sprite, usually unfriendly to humans

Word History and Origins

Origin of nixie¹

First recorded in 1880–85; nix ¹ + -ie

Origin of nixie²

1810–20; < German Nixe ( Middle High German nickese, Old High German nicchessa; nix ² ), perhaps construed at time of borrowing as nix ² + -ie

Word History and Origins

Origin of nixie¹

C19: see nix

Example Sentences

This is the first of the popular Nixie Bunny Books which have been read wherever there are children.

From Project Gutenberg

When my poor, noble, unselfish boy is sacrificing himself—for you don't suppose he can have any affection for a Water-nixie?

From Project Gutenberg

He achieved the sale more readily because of the newspaper controversy aroused by the Nixie.

From Project Gutenberg

Barbara stooped suddenly to pat Nixie, hiding her wounded face in his glossy curls.

From Project Gutenberg

"Let me help you get the plants in, and I'll settle with the boy, because it's all Nixie's fault," said the young doctor.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gnome
• gremlin