Hickey

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈhɪk.i/
• Rhymes: -ɪki

Origin

Unknown.

Full definition of hickey

Noun

1. (US, slang) A bruise-like mark made during petting by pressing the mouth to the skin on one’s partner’s body and sucking.
2. (informal, slang) an object whose name is unknown or cannot be recalled.
3. (printing) A printing defect caused by foreign matter on the printing surface resulting in a ring where the ink is missing, appearing as a spot of ink surrounded by a halo.
4. Local swelling in a tissue area, especially skin, often due to injury.
5. A tool for making smooth, semicircular bends in conduit and pipe.

Synonyms

• (bruise-like mark) love bite, lovebite, knot
• (tool) conduit bender

Derived terms

• doohickey, dohickey