knick-knack, nick-nack
(ˈnɪknæk)
Also 7–9 knick-nack, knicknack; 7–9 nicknack, 9 nic-nac, nicnac.
[Redupl. of knack n., with first element lightened as in crick-crack, etc.]
† 1. A petty trick, sleight, artifice, subterfuge.
| 1618 Fletcher Loyal Subj. ii. i, If you use these knick-knacks, This fast and loose. a 1625 Fletcher Hum. Lieutenant i. i, These foolish mistresses do so hang about ye, So whimper and so hug... Soft vows and sighs, and fiddle-faddles, Spoils all our trade [of war]! You must forget these knick-knacks. 1673 Marvell Reh. Transp. II. 312 You by the advantage of some knick-knacks have got the ascendant over them. |
2. A light, dainty article of furniture, dress, or food; any curious or pleasing trifle more for ornament than use; a trinket, gimcrack, kickshaw.
| α 1682 N. O. Boileau's Lutrin i. Argt., Miss won't come in to Buy, before She spies the Knick-knacks at the Dore. 1686 Goad Celest. Bodies ii. ii. 179 Two Knick-nacks of the fair. 1725 Bailey Erasm. Colloq. (1877) 377 (D.) He found me supporting my outward tabernacle..with some knick-knacks..at the confectioner's. 1748 Chesterfield Lett. (1792) II. clvii. 61 Knick-knacks, butterflies, shells, insects, &c. are the objects of their most serious researches. 1822 W. Irving Braceb. Hall iii. 25 The many little valuables and knick-knacks treasured up in the housekeeper's room. 1866 Mrs. Stowe Lit. Foxes 27 Knick-nacks. |
| β a 1692 H. Pollexfen Disc. Trade (1697) 93 Toys and Nick⁓nacks, to a very great value. 1714 Mandeville Fab. Bees (1725) I. 349 Watchmakers and others that sell toys, superfluous nicknacks, and other curiosities. 1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk. (1849) 386 He is a plain John Bull, and has no relish for frippery and nick-nacks. 1823 W. Cobbett Rural Rides (1885) I. 347 Two or three nick-nacks to eat instead of a piece of bacon and a pudding. 1836–9 Dickens Sk. Boz. ii. (1850) 6/1 The little front parlour,..the little nicnacs are always arranged in precisely the same manner. 1861 Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. xliii, There was an elegance in the arrangement of all the nick-nacks and ornaments. 1889 J. K. Jerome Idle Thoughts 131 All your little nick-nacks spread around you. |
| attrib. 1860 Sala Lady Chesterf. v. 74 Not mere millinery and gloves and nicknack shopping. |
b. A feast or social meal to which each guest contributes in kind.
| 1772 Foote Nabob i. Wks. 1799 II. 298 Robins has a rout and supper on Sunday next... A nick-nack,..we all contribute, as usual. |
3. An alternation of knacking sounds; an instrument that produces such, as the bones.
| 1650 H. More Observ. Anima Magica (1655) 144 Some idle boy playing on a pair of Knick-knacks. 1708 Brit. Apollo No. 56. 3/1 Death-Watches perplex, With repeated knick-knacks. |
Hence
ˈknick-knacked (
-nækt)
a.| 1891 Faith of Our Fathers Sept. 201 Furnitured, and knick-knacked, as though its hospitable inmates had been in since Quarter-day. |