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(-n), n.; pl. Hackneys (-nz). [OE. hakeney, hakenay; cf. F. haquene a pacing horse, an ambling nag, OF. also haguene, Sp. hacanea, OSp. facanea, D. hakkenei, also OF. haque horse, Sp. haca, OSp. faca; perh. akin to E. hack to cut, and nag, and orig. meaning, a jolting horse. Cf. Hack a horse, Nag.] 1. A horse for riding or driving; a nag; a pony. Chaucer. 2. A horse or pony kept for hire. 3. A carriage kept for hire; a hack; a hackney coach. 4. A hired drudge; a hireling; a prostitute. Hack"ney a.Let out for hire; devoted to common use; hence, much used; trite; mean; as, hackney coaches; hackney authors. "Hackney tongue." Roscommon. Hack"ney v. t.[imp. & p. p.Hackneyed (-nd); p. pr. & vb. n.Hackneying.] 1. To devote to common or frequent use, as a horse or carriage; to wear out in common service; to make trite or commonplace; as, a hackneyed metaphor or quotation. Had I so lavish of my presence been, So common-hackneyed in the eyes of men. Shak. 2. To carry in a hackney coach. Cowper. スポンサード リンク
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