Dictionary

horsey en · ADJ · etymology 1

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱers- Proto-Indo-European *-ós Proto-Indo-European *ḱr̥sós? Proto-Indo-European *h₁wers-? Proto-Indo-European *wers- Proto-Indo-European *-ḗn Proto-Indo-European *wérsēn Proto-Indo-Iranian *(w)ŕ̥šā Proto-Iranian *(w)ŕ̥šāder.? Proto-Germanic *hrussą Proto-West Germanic *hross Old English hors Middle English hors English horse Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English -ey English horsey From horse + -ey (adjectival suffix).

Meanings

1. (alt-of, alternative) Alternative spelling of horsy.
   alt of horsy
   • The novels sold 11mn copes in the UK alone, came to typify the rise of the so-called bonkbuster, and introduced readers to the world of horsey high society. 2025 October 11, Alex Clark, “Obituary [Jilly Cooper]: Writer who created racy bonkbusters in Rutshire”, in FT Weekend, London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 7:

Forms

Deriveds

unhorsey

horsey en · NOUN · etymology 2

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱers- Proto-Indo-European *-ós Proto-Indo-European *ḱr̥sós? Proto-Indo-European *h₁wers-? Proto-Indo-European *wers- Proto-Indo-European *-ḗn Proto-Indo-European *wérsēn Proto-Indo-Iranian *(w)ŕ̥šā Proto-Iranian *(w)ŕ̥šāder.? Proto-Germanic *hrussą Proto-West Germanic *hross Old English hors Middle English hors English horse Proto-Germanic *-j-, *-ij- Proto-West Germanic *-i, *-ī Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y ▲ English -y English -ie English -ey English horsey From horse + -ey (diminutive suffix).

Meanings

1. (alt-of, alternative) Alternative spelling of horsy.
   alt of horsy
   • When he got in the house, if I'd left him to read his newspaper in quiet, then he'd play horsey with me, riding me around the house on his back; I'd put a pillow on his back for my saddle 2000, Anique Devoe, I'm Ready:
   • When you get down on the floor and play “horsey”, you are giving yourself a heck of a workout – and it is fun for the kids! 2003, Bill Phillips, Eating for Life: Your Guide to Great Health, Fat Loss and Increased Energy:

Forms