ˈpranker
[f. prank v.3 + -er1.]
1. = prancer. † a. Thieves' cant. A horse (obs.). b. A dancer.
| 1591 Greene Art Conny Catch. ii. (1592) 4 They..doe take an especiall view, where prankers or horses be. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. iii. ii. vi. iii. (1651) 563 If she be a noted reveller, a gadder, a singer, a pranker or dancer, then take heed of her. 1886 G. H. Boughton in Harper's Mag. Dec. 24 One of the most abandoned of the prankers and myself..were tempted by cool shades of the fragrant wood to wander off. |
† 2. pl. Prancing action (as of a horse). Obs.
| 1636 Sampson Vow-breakers v. i. I iij, Have I practic'd my Reines, my Carree'res, my Pranckers, my Ambles, my false Trotts, my smooth Ambles, and Canterbury Paces, and shall Master Major put me besides the hobby-Horse? |