English Explanatory Dictionary

rickety

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Of an object: not strong or sturdy, as because of poor construction or upkeep; not safe or secure.
  2. Feeble in the joints; tottering.
  3. Affected with or suffering from rickets; rachitic.

Pronunciation

/ˈɹɪk.ɪ.ti/ /ˈɹɪk.e.ti/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-rickety.wav

Word forms

rickety ricketier more rickety ricketiest most rickety ricketty rickedy

Etymology

From dialectal ricket (“unstable, rickety”) + -y, and/or ricket (“to move noisily and in a reckless way”) + -y. Alternatively, and perhaps less likely, from rickets + -y.

Synonyms

bockety bone-shaking craichy cranky creaky creaking drooping flimsy precarious unsteady rickety rottletrap shackly shaky shoogly tottering tottersome unsafe unstable wobbly wonky rachitic

Antonyms

firm resilient robust rugged safe secure solid stalwart stalworth stout strong sturdy unprecarious untottering well-built

Derived words

ricketily ricketiness
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