rickety

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
  2. adjective affected with, suffering from, or characteristic of rickets
  3. adjective lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality

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

shaky, wobbly, wonky

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