akimbo

== English == === Alternative forms === akembo, a kimbow, kimbo (all archaic) === Etymology === From Middle English in kenebowe, in kene bowe (“in a keen bow”, i.e. “in a sharp bend or angle”), from in (“in”) + keen, kene (“brave, keen, sharp”) + bowe (“bow, bend”). Alternately, possibly from Old Norse kengr (“bent”) + bogi (“a bow”), compare Icelandic kengboginn (“bow-bent”). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /əˈkɪm.bəʊ/ (General American) IPA(key): /əˈkɪm.boʊ/ Rhymes: -ɪmbəʊ === Adjective === akimbo (not comparable) (of the arms) With a crook or bend; with the hand on the hip and elbow turned outward. (of the legs) With legs spread and the knees bent in an outward or awkward way, sometimes with the feet touching. ==== Usage notes ==== Almost always used after the noun modified. ==== Translations ==== === Adverb === akimbo (not comparable) Into, in, or of the position where the arms are akimbo. Of weapons, especially firearms: one held in each hand. ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === akimbo (third-person singular simple present akimbos, present participle akimboing, simple past and past participle akimboed) (video games, slang, transitive) To wield (two weapons), one in each hand. === Further reading === “akimbo”, in OneLook Dictionary Search. Michael Quinion (1996–2026), “Akimbo”, in World Wide Words. Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “akimbo”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.