Hackney \Hack"ney\ (-n[y^]), n.; pl. Hackneys (-n[i^]z). [OE.
hakeney, hakenay; cf. F. haguen['e]e a pacing horse, an
ambling nag, OF. also haquen['e]e, Sp. hacanea, OSp. facanea,
D. hakkenei, also OF. haque horse, Sp. haca, OSp. faca; perh.
akin to E. hack to cut, and nag, and orig. meaning, a jolting
horse. Cf. Hack a horse, Nag.]
1. A horse for riding or driving; a nag; a pony. --Chaucer.
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2. A horse or pony kept for hire.
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3. A carriage kept for hire; a hack; a hackney coach.
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4. A hired drudge; a hireling; a prostitute.
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Hackney \Hack"ney\, a.
Let out for hire; devoted to common use; hence, much used;
trite; mean; as, hackney coaches; hackney authors. "Hackney
tongue." --Roscommon.
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Hackney \Hack"ney\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hackneyed (-n[i^]d);
p. pr. & vb. n. Hackneying.]
1. To devote to common or frequent use, as a horse or
carriage; to wear out in common service; to make trite or
commonplace; as, a hackneyed metaphor or quotation.
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Had I so lavish of my presence been,
So common-hackneyed in the eyes of men. --Shak.
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2. To carry in a hackney coach. --Cowper.
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