English Explanatory Dictionary

nixie

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A female nix, a water-spirit.
noun
  1. A piece of mail returned as undeliverable.

Pronunciation

/ˈnɪksi/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-nixie.wav

Word forms

nixie nixies nixe nixy

Etymology

From German Nixe, feminine of Nix, from Middle High German nickes, from Old High German nihhus (“water-elf, crocodile”), from Proto-Germanic *nikwus, *nikwis, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *neygʷ- (“to wash”). Cognate with Old English nicor (“water-elf, hippopotamus, walrus”), English nicker.

Related words

Nixie tube
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