Added 9 October 2026
dolly
/ˈdɑli/ noun
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about dolly at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Conveyance consisting of a wheeled support on which a camera can be mounted.
- Conveyance consisting of a wheeled platform for moving heavy objects.
- A small replica of a person; used as a toy.
Origin
From doll + -y, from the given name Dorothy, originally applied either to a woman or female pet or to a children's toy, and expanded to refer to various types of contrivances or devices. The Online Etymology Dictionary, while considering the reason for applying it to such devices unobvious, compares how the names jack, jenny and jimmy are also applied to devices.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)