willy

Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to: navigation, search
See also Willy

Contents

English [edit]

Pronunciation [edit]

Etymology 1 [edit]

From Middle English willy, willi, equivalent to will +‎ -y. Cognate with Dutch willig (obedient, hearsome), German willig (willing), Swedish villig (willing, agreeable).

Adjective [edit]

willy (comparative willier or more willy, superlative williest or most willy)

  1. Willing; favourable; ready; eagre.
  2. (UK dialectal, Scotland) Self-willed; willful.
Related terms [edit]

Etymology 2 [edit]

From Middle English wilȝe, from Old English wiliġ (willow). More at willow.

Noun [edit]

willy (plural willies)

  1. Alternative form of willow.

Etymology 3 [edit]

From Middle English wilie, from Old English wiliġe, wileġe (basket), from Proto-Germanic *weligō (wicker basket), from Proto-Indo-European *weliko- (willow-tree). More at weel, willow.

Noun [edit]

willy (plural willies)

  1. (UK dialectal) A willow basket.
  2. (UK dialectal) A fish basket.

Etymology 4 [edit]

  • Possibly a contraction of Latin membrum virile, male member (that is, the penis), a Latin term used in English in the nineteenth century; also possibly the simple use of a proper name as a pet name; compare dick, fanny and peter.

Alternative forms [edit]

Noun [edit]

willy (plural willies)

  1. (hypocoristic, slang, childish) the penis.
  2. (UK) a person whom the speaker dislikes.
Synonyms [edit]
Translations [edit]

See also [edit]