ˈprick-me-ˈdainty, n. and a. Now Sc. or arch.
Also 6 pryckmedenty, prickmydante; 9 prig-, prick-my-dainty, prick ma dainty, -denty.
[f. prick v. (sense 20) + me + dainty a.]
A. n. ‘One who dresses in a finical manner, or is ridiculously exact in dress or carriage’ (Jam.); one who is affectedly finical; a dandy.
| a 1529 Skelton El. Rummyng 582 There was a pryckemedenty, Sat lyke a seynty, And began to paynty, As thoughe she would faynty. 1548 B. Ochyne Serm. A ij, If any prety pryckemydantes shal happen to spy a note in thys godly labour. a 1553 Udall Royster D. ii. iii. (Arb.) 36 Mary then prickmedaintie come toste me a fig. 1576 Newton Lemnie's Complex. (1633) 63 As some nice Dames and Prickmedainties..curiously combe and bring their haires into a curled fashion and crisped lockes. 1898 E. W. Hamilton Mawkin vi. 75 She..took it to be one of her young prick-me-dainties coming a-jinking after her. |
B. adj. Excessively or affectedly precise in personal adornment; over-nice, finical.
| 1820 Hogg in Blackw. Mag. VI. 392 One can't think the blacksmith had been jealous Of any of these prig-my-dainty fellows. 1824 Scott St. Ronan's xii, It's an ill world since sic prick-my-dainty doings came in fashion. 1897 L. Keith Bonnie Lady vii. 67 What a high-bendit, prickmadenty lady he had in his mind's eye. |