† ˈheartikin Obs.
Also 6 hartykyn.
[f. heart n.: see -kin.]
Little heart: a term of endearment. ods-heartikins!, a minced oath (= God's heart); cf. heart n. 53, and bodikin 2.
| 1540 Palsgr. Acolastus Hartykyn (Halliw.). 1741 Richardson Pamela I. xxviii. 45 Ads-heartikins! you young gentlemen are made of iron and steel, I think. 1751 Smollett Per. Pic. lxvii. (1779) II. 230 Odds heartlikins! had I known. Ibid. lxxviii. III. 43 Oddsheartikins! this may be some London apprentice running away. |