Dictionary

riggish en · ADJ

Etymology

From rig (“a wanton girl”) + -ish.

Meanings

1. (archaic) Wanton, lewd, or tomboyish
   • “The matchmaker agrees that your having a position at Court will improve your chances, but she warned that you must be exceedingly careful of your reputation. Court society is known to be riggish.” 2008, Sandra Gulland, Mistress of the Sun, page 126:
   • The wanton gesticulations of a virgin in a wild assembly of gallants warmed with wine, could be no other than riggish, and unmaidenly. 1612–1634, [Joseph Hall], “(please specify the page)”, in [Contemplations vpon the Principall Passages of the Holy Storie], volume (please specify |volume=I to VIII), London, →OCLC:
   • Dr Quintal saw them to the door, giving Rita a shrug and a sardonic grimace as she went, implying that he was not the dupe of her riggish rejection of a casual love affair. 1950, Norman Lindsay, Dust or Polish?, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 180:
   • Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety: other women cloy The appetites they feed: but she makes hungry Where most she satisfies; for vilest things Become themselves in her: that the holy priests Bless her when she is riggish. c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):

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