WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
hick•ey
(hik′ē),USA pronunciation n., pl. -eys.
- Slang Terms
- a pimple.
- a reddish mark left on the skin by a passionate kiss.
- any device or gadget whose name is not known or is momentarily forgotten.
- Electricitya fitting used to mount a lighting fixture in an outlet box or on a pipe or stud.
- Buildinga tool used to bend tubes and pipes.
- 1905–10; American; of obscure origin, originally; senses under def. 1 perh. a separate word, though the development "device
defective device defect, blemish, mark'' is also possible; compare doohickey
'hickey' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):