downy
Preserved but no longer current.
Knowing or cunning; "a DOWNY COVE," a knowing or experienced sharper. Literally, a DOWNY person is one who is "DOWN to every move on the board." In Norfolk, however, it means low-spirited, i.e., DOWN in the mouth.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “downy” mean?
Knowing or cunning; "a DOWNY COVE," a knowing or experienced sharper. Literally, a DOWNY person is one who is "DOWN to every move on the board." In Norfolk, however, it means low-spirited, i.e., DOWN in the mouth.
Is “downy” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.