dodkin
(ˈdɒdkɪn)
Forms: 5 doydekyn, doykyn, 6 dodkyn, 6–7 (9) dotkin, 6– dodkin, (7–9 doitkin).
[15th c. doydekyn, doykyn, a. MDu. duytken, dim. of duyt, doyt: see doit.]
1. An early name for the doit, a small Dutch coin. Hence, any coin of very small value.
Only Hist. after 1600, except in proverbial phrases.
| 1415 Act 3 Hen. V, c. 1 §2 Les Galyhalpens & la Moneie appelle Seskyn & Doydekyn. Ibid. Galyhalpens, Seskyns ou Doykyns. c 1550 Dice-Play (Percy Soc.) 27 He that will not stoop a dodkin at the dice. 1577 Stanyhurst Descr. Irel. in Holinshed VI. 23 At the end of his maioraltie he owght no man a dotkin. 1606 Holland Sueton. 79 Brasen Dodkins or mites called Asses. 1607 Cowell Interpr., Dotkins, a kind of coine. [ed. 1672 Doitkin, a base Coine, prohibited by 3 H. 5. cap. 1. Hence probably we retain that phrase when we would undervalue a man, to say, He is not worth a Doit or Doitkin.] 1674 S. Jeake Arith. (1696) 77 Some..divide the Farthing into 2 Ques, the Q into 2 Cees, the C into 2 Dodkins. 1881 A. J. Duffield Don Quix. III. xxvii. 206, I did not care two dotkins. |
2. a. A bud. b. A pistil.
[Perh. not the same word. In b perh. a dim. of dod2, Du. dodde club.]
| 1578 Lyte Dodoens iii. lx. 400 Small dodkins or springes, which are the beginning of leaues. Ibid. v. xxvii. 585 The flower..with a yellowe Dodkin or Pestil, lyke golde in the middle. |