rakehelly, a. and n.
(ˈreɪkˌhɛlɪ)
[f. prec. + -y1. See also rakely.]
A. adj.
1. Of persons: Of the nature of, or resembling, a rakehell, or rakehells.
| 1579 E. K. Ded. Spenser's Sheph. Cal., The rakehellye route of our ragged rymers. 1698 Farquhar Love & Bottle ii. i, I am a Rakehelly Rascal not worth a Groat. a 1766 F. Sheridan Sidney Bidulph IV. 103 Her ladyship has the misfortune of having a rakehelly young fellow to her son. 1841 Blackw. Mag. Apr. 439 They were..repulsive in appearance—rakehelly, slovenly in dress. |
2. Appropriate to, characteristic of, rakehells.
| 1594 O. B. Quest. Profit. Concern. 13 Reuiling..his mother and me with such rakehelly words & hellish oathes. c 1700 tr. B. Jonson's Leges Convivales x, Breaking of windows,..And spoiling the goods for a rakehelly prank. 1825 J. F. Cooper Lionel Lincoln II. iv. 89 They needn't think to frighten the people with their rake-helly noises. 1888 J. Payn Myst. Mirbridge vii, Those dissipated, not to say rakehelly countenances. |
B. n. = rake-hell 1.
| a 1762 Lady M. W. Montagu The Lover iii, No pedant, yet learned; no rake-helly gay. 1825 J. F. Cooper Lionel Lincoln II. iv. 95 Let the rake-hellies go up to Breeds; the people will teach them the law! |