Also 7 -it, krickett. [This and the parallel form CRACKET appear in the 17th c. Cf. also CROCK sb.5; the ulterior history is unknown.
Connection has been suggested with LG. kruk-stool, pl. -stöle, according to the Bremische Wörterbuch 1767, ‘the movable seats in churches for women of the lower ranks.’]
A low wooden stool; a foot-stool. Now local.
a. 1643. W. Cartwright, Lady Errant, V. i. (1651), 69. I’I stand upon a Crickit, and there make Fluent Orations to ’em.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 291/2. A kind of low footed stool, or Cricket as some call it.
1691. Shadwell, Scowrers, II. I went thither [to Westminster Hall], expecting to find you upon a Cricket, civilly taking Reports.
1713. Guardian, No. 91. That he … hath privily conveyed any large book, cricket, or other device under him, to exalt him on his seat.
1740. Gray, Wks. (1827), 78. Nine chairs … five stools, and a cricket.
1848. Mrs. Gaskell, M. Barton, xxiv. Mary drew her little cricket out from under the dresser, and sat down at Mrs. Wilson’s knees.
1880. Miss Yonge, Bye Words, 220. He gave us each a little cricket to sit upon.
b. Also cricket-stool. (Cf. Sc. crackie-stool.)
1694. S. Johnson, Notes Past. Lett. Bp. Burnet, I. 104. [She] threw her Cricket-stool at his Head.
1708. Motteux, Rabelais, IV. xxx. (1737), 126. His Reason, like a Cricket Stool.
