husky
/ˈhʌs.ki/ adjective, noun, proper noun
Forms huskier huskiest huskies huskie
- adjective Of a voice, hoarse and rough-sounding; throaty.
- adjective (US, euphemistic) Burly, stout; sometimes as a modifier for boys' clothing sizes that fit a large waist or chest.
- adjective Abounding with husks; consisting of husks.
- adjective (slang, archaic) Belligerent; hostile and uncooperative.
- noun Any of several breeds of dogs used as sled dogs.
- noun (dated) An Eskimo person.
- proper noun (dated) Any of the languages of the Eskimo peoples.
Synonyms
polar dog Eskimo dog beefy burly strapping buirdly gruff hoarse
Etymology
From husk + -y; in relation to voice, from the sense "dry as a husk" or "tough as a husk".
Shortening of husky dog, where husky is ultimately from the same Old Montagnais root as Eskimo.
Ultimately related to Eskimo; see husky (“sled dog”) for more.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Abounding with husks; consisting of husks. Dryden.
- adjective Rough in tone; harsh; hoarse; raucous; as, a husky voice.
Etymology [From Husk, n.]
Etymology [Prob. for husty; cf. OE. host cough, AS. hwosta; akin to D. hoest, G. husten, OHG. huosto, Icel. hosti. See Wheeze.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “husky”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details