itchy

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Characterized by itching. (of a condition)

   • an itchy rash
   • Excess, the scrophulous and itchy plague / That seizes first the opulent
   • Her heart kicked and an itchy burning in her throat made her swallow all her saliva away.
2. 2

   Feeling an itching sensation

   Feeling an itching sensation; feeling a need to be scratched. (of a person, animal or body part)

   • My nose always gets itchy the moment I put on my face mask.
   • Q. What do you mean by a natural, but sickly delight? A. I mean such a delight as Itchie people have to scratch, green-sickness Garles to eat coles and chalk, and those in a burning Fever, to drink cold drink.
   • I heard the trumpet of its famous mosquito, but did not feel its attacks; still the itchy hillocks on my hands for some days afterwards reported the venom of the insect.
3. 3

   Causing an itching sensation.

   • He refuses to wear the new sweater; he says it’s itchy.
   • the itchy sound, the brisk and scratchy sound, of combing hairs out of a stiff brush
   • It was one room crowded with attic furniture, a sofa and fat chairs upholstered in that itchy, particular red velvet that one associates with hot days on a train.
4. ›+ 4 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      In a state of agitation

      In a state of agitation; easily alarmed.

      • Casy said softly, “All of ’em’s itchy. Them cops been sayin’ how they’re gonna beat the hell outa us an’ run us outa the county. […]”
      • 1966, Robert A. Heinlein, The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, Chapter 16, in Worlds of If, Volume 16, No. 1, Issue 98, January, 1966, p. 77, […] I got itchy wondering whether I could go inside Complex without being nabbed.
   2. 5

      Having a constant, teasing desire (for something, to do something)

      Having a constant, teasing desire (for something, to do something); impatiently eager.

      • Who simply stares and listens / Tongue-tied, while eye nor glistens / Nor brow grows hot and twitchy, / Nor mouth, for a combat itchy, / Quivers with some convincing / Reply
      • “So I went over to see Miss Huntress and after a lot of finagling around with this itchy-handed house dick I got to see her and we had a chat […]”
      • By now, Pearl would have been out the door and halfway down the steps, reaching for the three of them with those eager, itchy fingers of hers.
   3. 6

      Causing a constant, teasing desire for something.

      • They are curious with the itchy curiosity of their explorative time of life, and they have no proper guidance.
      • A bachelor at sixty-eight and an uneasy drinker, Holcomb was seized with an itchy, reminiscent lust whenever he drank too much […]
      • With peace gone he was left with plain old boredom, and not the clean kind. But the itchy, restless kind that begged to be filled.
   4. 7

      Feeling or showing a high level of sexual interest.

      • Car[dochia]. That slave in obscene language courted me, / Drew reals out, and would have bought my body, / Diego, from thee. / Die[go]. Is he so itchy? I'll cure him.
      • what’s all the delight, / That seemes so pleasing to the itchie whorer?

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