See Also: prig(1)(dictionary)
prig(2)(dictionary)
prig(dictionary)
prig(dictionary)

prig(2) (iou)



prig noun2 & adjective. M16.
[Origin unkn.]
A. noun.
Orig. (rare), a tinker. Later, a (petty) thief. arch. slang. M16.
An unpleasant or unsympathetic person. Long obsolete exc. as passing into sense 3 below. slang. L17.
An affectedly or self-consciously precise person; spec. (a) slang a dandy, a fop; (b) slang a precisian in religion, esp. a Nonconformist minister; (c) a self-righteously correct or moralistic person. L17.
P. H. Gibbs He was no prig, but liked a laugh. Guardian Isabel is such a prig that she values her chastity more than her brother. C. Forbes Perhaps I'm a prig.., but it'd be too much like taking a salary and not doing any work.
b. attrib. or as adjective. Priggish. rare. E18.
priggery noun the behaviour of a prig E19.
priggism noun (a) rare professional crime, esp. theft; (b) priggishness: M18.