Cleeky

/ˈkliːki/ adjective

Definition

Having a hooked or hook-like shape; inclined to hook or grasp; resembling or characteristic of a cleek.

Etymology

From 'cleek' plus the diminutive or descriptive suffix -y, which transforms nouns into adjectives describing their qualities. This follows the common English pattern of 'book' → 'booky' or 'hook' → 'hooky.'

Kelly Says

The -y suffix is one of English's most productive adjective-makers, and 'cleeky' shows how it can attach to almost any noun—but this particular adjective disappeared along with the golf equipment it described, making it a casualty of both technological change and linguistic drift.

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