Betty

Quick meaning: Betty is a noun meaning (US, archaic) A pear-shaped bottle covered with straw, in which olive oil is sometimes brought from Italy; a Florence flask.

Meaning

(US, archaic) A pear-shaped bottle covered with straw, in which olive oil is sometimes brought from Italy; a Florence flask.

More Meanings

1. A baked dessert made with alternating layers of sweetened fruit and buttered bread crumbs.
2. To pick a lock, to open with a betty.
3. (slang) A short bar used by thieves to wrench doors open; a jimmy.
4. (slang) A picklock, skeleton key; a tool for opening locks.
5. (archaic, derogatory) A man who performs tasks that traditionally belong to a woman; (originally) an effeminate or gay man.
6. (slang, slightly pejorative) An attractive woman; a babe.
7. (archaic) To be overly attentive to someone or something.

Example Sentences

“I’m perfectly well, thank you, Miss Hester,” she said, coldly. “I detest being bettied.”

A pie-size betty is traditional, but if you like, assemble the recipe in individual ovenproof ramekins.

No modern Lycæum vvill ever equal thy Glory, […] deſcribing the povverful Betty, or the artful Picklock, […]

On olive oil in casks, twenty cents per gallon; olive salad oil in bottles or betties, thirty per centum ad valorem

Word Forms

• betties
• bettee
• bettying
• bettied

Synonyms for betty

Depending on context, synonyms include cot-quean, henhussy, molly.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include petit, petty, miss, wood, pete, beauty.

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