Definition/Meaning of akimbo

• English - Adjective: akimbo ( not comparable ) With a crook or bend; with the hand on the hip and elbow turned outward . 1892 , Sir Arthur Conan Doyle , The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle . "Now, then , mister ," said he , with his head cocked and his arms akimbo , "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight , now ." 1921 , Lydia Clark , Physical Training for the Elementary Schools: Gymnastics , Games , and…
• English - Adverb: akimbo ( not comparable ) Into , in , or of the position where the arms are akimbo . The man was standing akimbo . 1903 , Emily Constance Baird Cook , Highways and byways in London‎ , page 430 Otherwise , it is likely that she may be accosted as "dear" or "Sally,"—invited to take "a drop o' tea ," or otherwise chaffed by rough women standing akimbo at street doors . 1978 , Padma Upadhyaya,…
• English - Etymology: From Middle English in kenebowe, in kene bowe ( “ in a keen bow", i . e . "in a sharp bend or angle ” ), from in ( “ in ” ) + keen , kene ( “ brave , keen , sharp ” ) + bowe ( “ bow , bend ” ). Alternately , possibly from Old Norse keng ( “ bent ” ) + bogi ( “ a bow ” ), compare Icelandic kengboginn ( “ bow-bent ” ).
• English - Pronunciation: ( UK ) IPA (key) : /əˈkɪm.bəʊ/ ( US ) IPA (key) : /əˈkɪm.boʊ/ Rhymes: -ɪmbəʊ
• English - References: http://www.quinion.com/words/qa/qa-aki1.htm