▪ I. † ˈginny, n. Thieves' slang. Obs.
Also 7 jenny.
[f. Ginny, Jenny, female name. Cf. jemmy.]
A housebreaker's tool (see quots.).
| 1673 R. Head Canting Acad. 191 The ninth is a Ginny to lift up a Grate, If he sees but the Lurry, with his hooks he will bate. a 1700 B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Ginny, an Instrument to lift up a Grate, the better to steal what is in the Window. [Also s.v. Jenny.] 1725 in New Cant. Dict. 1785 in Grose Dict. Vulg. Tongue. |
▪ II. † ˈginny, a.1 Obs. rare.
[f. gin n.1 + -y1.]
Cunning, ensnaring, seductive.
| 1615 A. Nixon Scourge Corrupt. 17 These fellowes, with their ginny phreeses, and Italionate discourses, to set a fire the brauing thoughts of our yong gentlewomen. |
▪ III. ˈginny a.2
[f. gin n.2 + -y1.]
Affected by gin; resembling, addicted to, or characterized by gin.
| 1888 Times 19 Oct. 5/6 A ‘ginny’ kidney, that is to say one that belonged to a person who had drunk heavily. 1926 S. T. Warner Lolly Willowes 39 A hot ginny churchyard smell. 1948 G. Greene Heart of Matter iii. iii. i. 294 His ginny breath. 1964 R. Braddon Year Angry Rabbit vi. 58 Suddenly he felt very tired, and very reluctant to endure the ginny bonhomie of a wardroom. |