brisky meaning (rare): definition, etymology and quotations

brisky

adj

Etymology From brisk + -y.

Rare Somewhat brisk; lively; energetic.

Flute: Most radiant Pyramus, most lily-white of hue, Of colour like the red rose on triumphant brier, Most brisky juvenal and eke most lovely Jew, As true as truest horse that yet would never tirec. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “A Midsommer Nights Dreame”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
[H]e kept his eyes steadily fixed upon the ground, and walked at a brisky pace, as if desirous of getting out of the city as quickly as possible.1841, William Harrison Ainsworth, Old St. Paul's, book 4, ch. 2:

2 more examples

Miami's latest cold front slipped on out over the ocean early yesterday, leaving behind more than a slight chill, brisky winds and a few showers.1960 January 31, “Bon Voyage, Cold Front”, in Miami News, USA, retrieved 25 Oct 2011, page 1:
His secretary jumps when he rings; his brisky independent way with important customers is the envy of his sales staff.1960 October 21, Muriel Lawrence, “Irritation Result of Weakness”, in Victoria Advocate, USA, retrieved 25 Oct 2011, page 3:

noun

Etymology From brisk + -y.

Nonstandard, Possibly, Rare A britchka, a type of horse-drawn carriage.

Probably obsolete

Och! and wouldn't it be a blessed thing for your spirrits if ye cud lay your two peepers jist, upon Sir Pathrick O'Grandison, Barronitt, when he is all riddy drissed for the hopperer, or stipping into the Brisky for the drive into the Hyde Park.c. 1840, Edgar Allan Poe, Why the Little Frenchman Wears his Hand in a Sling:
Well, the nex day came: at 12 the carridge-and-four was waiting at the ambasdor's doar; and Miss Griffin and the faithfle Kicksey were punctial to the apintment. I don't wish to digscribe the marridge seminary—how the embasy chapling jined the hands of this loving young couple—how one of the embasy footmin was called in to witness the marridge—how Miss wep and fainted as usial—and how Deuceace carried her, fainting, to the brisky, and drove off to Fontingblo.1841, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 17, in Memoirs of Mr. Charles J. Yellowplush:

1 more example

The captain called for his carriage. . . . [T]he platterer was glad that Rossi's choice of transport was a brisky, and not a smaller vehicle. . . . Two horses gave it power and its light body, made largely of woven wicker, gave it roominess and speed.2010, Robin Adair, Death and the Running Patterer, Penguin, online edition

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.