akimbo
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
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[edit] Etymology
From Middle English in kenebowe. Possibly from Old Norse keng (“‘bent’”) + bogi (“‘a bow’”)
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Adjective
akimbo (not comparable)
|
Positive |
Superlative |
- With a crook or bend; with the hand on the hip and elbow turned outward.
- 1892, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle.
- "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now."
- 1921, Lydia Clark, Physical Training for the Elementary Schools: Gymnastics, Games, and Rhythmic Plays, page 66.
- Girls take hold of the skirts; boys place the hands akimbo, bend forward from the waist, and bow.
- 2004, Zirka Z. Filipczak, "Poses and Passions: Mona Lisa's 'Closely Folded' Hands", in G K Paster, et al. (eds.) Reading the Early Modern Passions: Essays in the Cultural History of Emotion, page 83.
- Men preferred one pose above all others, namely, the elbow akimbo.
- 1892, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle.
[edit] Usage notes
- Almost always used after the noun modified.
[edit] Translations
with a crook or bend; with the hand on the hip and elbow turned outward
[edit] Adverb
akimbo (not comparable)
|
Positive |
Superlative |
- Into, in, or of the position where the arms are akimbo.
- The man was standing akimbo.
- 1903 , Emily Constance Baird Cook, Highways and byways in London, page 430
- Otherwise, it is likely that she may be accosted as "dear" or "Sally,"—invited to take "a drop o' tea," or otherwise chaffed by rough women standing akimbo at street doors.
- 1978, Padma Upadhyaya, Female Images in the Museums of Uttar Pradesh, page 272
- ...and the other end window bearing the figure of a woman standing akimbo with her right hand touching her right temple.
