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ninny

 - 3 dictionary results

nin⋅ny

  [nin-ee]
Use ninny in a Sentence
–noun, plural -nies.
a fool or simpleton.
Origin:
1585–95; perh. generic use of pet form of Innocent proper name; see -y 2

Related forms:
nin⋅ny⋅ish, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ninny
nin·ny   (nĭn'ē)   
n.   pl. nin·nies
A fool; a simpleton.

[Perhaps alteration of innocent.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

ninny 
"simpleton, fool," 1593, perhaps a misdivision of an innocent, or from the pet form of the proper name Innocent, with sense influenced by the name's literal meaning. There may be some influence in the word of It. ninno "baby, child."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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