tricky, a.
(ˈtrɪkɪ)
[f. trick n. + -y.]
Characterized by or full of tricks.
1. a. Given to the practice of crafty or deceitful tricks; characterized by trickery.
| 1786 Burns To Auld Mare v, Tho' ye was trickie, slee, an' funnie, Ye ne'er was donsie. 1812 Walker in P. Graham Agric. Surv. Stirling 401 A minister..paid in kind from the small tricky heritors, who are imposing upon him grain of the worst quality. 1831–54 Ld. Cockburn Jrnl. ii. (1874) 113 As Lord President he was tricky. 1868 E. Edwards Ralegh I. ii. 27 Very characteristic..of the tricky and tortuous policy of Elizabeth's government. |
b. Skilled in performing clever tricks or dodges.
| 1887 Daily News 19 May 3/3 It had gained many prizes, and was what he might call a tricky dog. 1890 L. D'Oyle Notches 63, I used to be what they call a ‘tricky’ hunter. 1901 Essex Weekly News 29 Mar. 8/3 His partner..was the trickiest forward on the field. |
2. Having the deceptive character of a trick; containing unexpected difficulties; needing cautious action or handling; risky, catchy, ticklish. colloq.
| 1868 C. L. Eastlake Hints Househ. Taste vii. 176 Chromo-lithography..accustoms the eye to easily rendered and therefore tricky effects of colour which falsify rather than illustrate nature. 1887 Saintsbury Hist. Elizab. Lit. iv. (1890) 111 One of the tricky things called echo sonnets. 1887 L'pool Daily Post 14 Feb. 5/7 Accompanying certain recitations with music, which at first appeared a rather tricky experiment. 1891 Kipling Light that Failed i, Revolvers are tricky things for young hands to deal with. |