[f. SPLASH sb.1 or v.1]
1. Of a splashing character; falling, etc., with a splash or in splashes.
1856. Dickens, Lett. to W. Collins (1892), 56. We wallowed in an odd sort of dinner, which would have been splashy if it hadn’t been too sticky.
1864. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., XVI. xi. IV. 431. Brown leaves, splashy rains, and winds moaning.
1878. H. S. Wilson, Alpine Ascents, ii. 28. Rain dimpling with a thousand splashy drops the pools of water.
2. Of sounds: Such as are made by a splash.
1834. M. Scott, Cruise Midge, xx. One or two cranes,… taking wing with a rustling splashy flaff, glided silently past us.
1885. E. P. Warren & Cleverly, Wanderings ‘Beetle,’ 34. How inseparable an association of these foreign rivers is the splashy whack of the battoir.
3. Making a show or stir; attracting attention; sensational.
1836. Marryat, Midsh. Easy, xxv. It’s the yellow carriage of that old lady with her … two splashy footmen!
1848. Punch, 27 May, 226/2. It is perfectly fair that this gentleman … should be enabled to make what is termed a ‘splashy’ effect in civilised society.
4. Done in splashes; not even or regular.
1880. Academy, 11 Dec., 430/3. The fine, but splashy, sketches … will rightly attract many admirers.
1884. Brit. Alm. & Comp., 167. His manner of handling is rather sketchy and splashy.
1887. Ch. Times, 7 Oct., 785/2. The organ accompaniment … they complained of as being splashy and spasmodic.
