Progression

hackney (HAK-nee) adjective

1. Trite.

2. Let out for hire.

verb tr.

1. To make banal or common by frequent use.

2. To hire out.

noun

1. A breed of horses developed in England, having a high-stepping gait.

2. A horse suitable for routine riding or driving.

3. A carriage or coach for hire.

[Probably after Hackney in East London, where such horses were raised. The word hack, in related senses, is a short form of hackney.]

Today's word in Visual Thesaurus: http://visualthesaurus.com/?w1=hackney

"Is this 80-minute underwater romp, studded with celebrity voice roles, Pixar's somewhat hackneyed answer to Dreamworks' Finding Nemo? You decide."
Look & Listen; Prague Tribune (Czech Republic); Mar 3, 2005.

"The move was pioneered by safety chiefs from the Shrewsbury Shop and Pub Watch scheme, with cameras also being installed in two hackney carriages in the town."
Taxi Drivers Feel Safer As Cars Get CCTV; The Shropshire Star (UK); Mar 2, 2005.

This week's theme: toponyms.

Permalink:
http://wordsmith.org/words/hackney.html

Posted by Keya at March 11, 2005 06:42 PM