Ricketiest: meaning, definitions and examples
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ricketiest
[ ˈrɪkɪtɪst ]
quality of stability
Ricketiest refers to something that is the least stable or most rickety. It often describes structures or objects that are in poor condition and likely to collapse or fail due to their instability.
Synonyms
rickety, shaky, unstable, wobbly.
Examples of usage
- The ricketiest old chair creaked under his weight.
- They chose the ricketiest bridge to cross the river, hoping it wouldn't fall.
- After years of neglect, the barn had become the ricketiest building in the area.
Translations
Translations of the word "ricketiest" in other languages:
🇵🇹 mais instável
🇮🇳 सबसे अस्थिर
🇩🇪 am wackeligsten
🇮🇩 paling goyang
🇺🇦 найкривіший
🇵🇱 najbardziej chwiejny
🇯🇵 最も不安定な
🇫🇷 le plus instable
🇪🇸 el más inestable
🇹🇷 en dengesiz
🇰🇷 가장 흔들리는
🇸🇦 الأكثر اهتزازًا
🇨🇿 nejvíce vratký
🇸🇰 najviac vratký
🇨🇳 最不稳定的
🇸🇮 najbolj nestabilen
🇮🇸 mest óstöðugur
🇰🇿 ең тұрақсыз
🇬🇪 ყველაზე მერყევი
🇦🇿 ən qeyri-sabit
🇲🇽 el más inestable
Etymology
The word 'rickety' originates from the late 18th century, derived from the dialect term 'rickety,' which means weak or shaky. It is believed to be a combination of the word 'rick,' which refers to something that is broken down or damaged, and the suffix '-ety' or '-iest,' indicating a state of being. Over time, the term has evolved to describe not only physical structures that are unstable but also metaphorically applies to situations or systems that lack solidity. The use of 'ricketiest' as the superlative form highlights the extreme degree of rickety conditions. Its adoption into common language illustrates how language adapts to describe less vigorous objects or occurrences, emphasizing the degradation and fragility of items or situations. As the 19th century progressed, the term became more widely used in literature to portray dilapidated settings, contributing to its lasting presence in the English vocabulary.