Etymology From Middle English in kenebowe, in kene bowe (“in a keen bow”, i.e. “in a sharp bend or angle”), from in (“in”) + keen, kene (“brave, keen, sharp”) + bowe (“bow, bend”). Alternately, possibly from Old Norse kengr (“bent”) + bogi (“a bow”), compare Icelandic kengboginn (“bow-bent”).
1
Of the arms With a crook or bend; with the hand on the hip and elbow turned outward.
"Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now."1892 [January], A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. VII.—The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle.”, in Geo[rge] Newnes, editor, The Strand Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly, volume III (January to June), number [13], London: George Newnes, Limited, […], page 80, column 1:
Girls take hold of the skirts; boys place the hands akimbo, bend forward from the waist, and bow.1921, Lydia Clark, Physical Training for the Elementary Schools: Gymnastics, Games, and Rhythmic Plays, page 66:
2 more examples
She was now standing arms akimbo, her shoulders drooping a little, her head cocked to one side, her glasses winking in the sunlight. We knew she wore a grin of the uttermost wickedness.1960 July 11, Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, Philadelphia, Pa.; New York, N.Y.: J[oshua] B[allinger] Lippincott Company, →OCLC:
Men preferred one pose above all others, namely, the elbow akimbo.2004, Zirka Z. Filipczak, “Poses and Passions: Mona Lisa's 'Closely Folded' Hands”, in G K Paster et al., editors, Reading the Early Modern Passions: Essays in the Cultural History of Emotion, page 83:
2
Of the legs With legs spread and the knees bent in an outward or awkward way, sometimes with the feet touching.
akimbo
adv
Etymology From Middle English in kenebowe, in kene bowe (“in a keen bow”, i.e. “in a sharp bend or angle”), from in (“in”) + keen, kene (“brave, keen, sharp”) + bowe (“bow, bend”). Alternately, possibly from Old Norse kengr (“bent”) + bogi (“a bow”), compare Icelandic kengboginn (“bow-bent”).
1
Into, in, or of the position where the arms are akimbo.
The man was standing akimbo.
Otherwise, it is likely that she may be accosted as "dear" or "Sally,"—invited to take "a drop o' tea," or otherwise chaffed by rough women standing akimbo at street doors.1903, Emily Constance Baird Cook, Highways and byways in London, page 430:
1 more example
...and the other end window bearing the figure of a woman standing akimbo with her right hand touching her right temple.1978, Padma Upadhyaya, Female Images in the Museums of Uttar Pradesh, page 272:
2
Of weapons, especially firearms: one held in each hand.
Although it was a little impractical, Elmer held his revolvers akimbo because to him it looked cool.
akimbo
verb
Etymology From Middle English in kenebowe, in kene bowe (“in a keen bow”, i.e. “in a sharp bend or angle”), from in (“in”) + keen, kene (“brave, keen, sharp”) + bowe (“bow, bend”). Alternately, possibly from Old Norse kengr (“bent”) + bogi (“a bow”), compare Icelandic kengboginn (“bow-bent”).