prissy
/ˈpɹɪsi/ adjective, noun, proper noun
Forms prissier prissiest prissies
- adjective Prim and fussy; too precise; overparticular.
- adjective (usually derogatory) Lacking masculine vigor; sissified; effeminate.
- adjective Well-mannered; well-behaved.
- noun (rare) A person who is prissy.
- proper noun A diminutive of the female given name Priscilla.
Synonyms
priggish prim prudish puritanical square-toed straitlaced strait-laced straightlaced straight-laced tight-laced victorian dainty nice overnice squeamish
Etymology
1895, either an alteration of precise, blend of prim + sissy, or a blend of prim + fussy; first attested in a work of American writer Joel Chandler Harris.
From Priscilla + -y.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “prissy”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details