downy

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See also: dôwny and dŏwny

English

Etymology

From down +‎ -y.

Pronunciation

Adjective

downy (comparative downier, superlative downiest)

  1. Having down, covered with a soft fuzzy coating as of small feathers or hair.
    The chick's downy coat of feathers formed almost immediately to keep it warm.
  2. (slang, dated) Sharp-witted, perceptive.
    • 1947, Sir David Maxwell Fyfe, Speech in UK House of Commons, 10th November 1947:
      The right hon. Gentleman has much more claim to the adjective downy than I have, but he really cannot catch me with that one.
    • 1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 10, in The History of Pendennis. , volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, , published 1849–1850, →OCLC:
      I’m not clever, p’raps: but I am rather downy; and partial friends say I know what’s o’clock tolerably well.
  3. (UK, Norfolk) Low-spirited; down in the mouth.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

downy (plural downies)

  1. A blanket filled with down; a duvet.
    • 2013, Dorothy M. Jensen, The Little Girl From 311 Travis Street, page 246:
      Went to bed with 2 downies on the bed, but the heat finally kicked in and ended with one cover and my feet sticking out.
  2. (slang, dated) A bed.
    to do the downy (i.e. lie in bed)
    • 1857, Anthony Trollope, The Three Clerks, volume I, London: Richard Bentley, page 181:
      "Lord love you, Mr. Scott, I've a deal to do before I get to my downy; and I don't like those doctored tipples. Good night, Mr. Scott; I wishes you good night, sir;" and making another slight reference to his hat, which had not been removed from his head during the whole interview, Mr. Manylodes took himself off.

References

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