riggish

English

Etymology

From rig (“a wanton girl”) +‎ -ish.

Adjective

riggish (comparative more riggish, superlative most riggish)

1. (archaic) Wanton, lewd, or tomboyish
   • 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):

     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.

   • 1612–1626, [Joseph Hall], “(please specify the page)”, in [Contemplations vpon the Principall Passages of the Holy Storie], volume (please specify |volume=II, V, or VI), London, →OCLC:

     The wanton gesticulations of a virgin in a wild assembly of gallants warmed with wine, could be no other than riggish, and unmaidenly.

   • 2008, Sandra Gulland, Mistress of the Sun, page 126:

     “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.”

References

• “riggish”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.