Toyish

a. Now rare. [f. TOY sb. + -ISH¹.] Having the character of a toy, or addicted to toys (in various senses of the sb.).

  1.  Trifling, trivial, of no importance, worthless; foolish, senseless, nonsensical.

1574.  Life 70th App. Canterb., Pref. E vj b. The thinges therin described being in part not all so true and in greatest part to to toyishe.

1588.  Crowley, Delib. Answ., 48 b. Your ringing of Belles, your burning of lightes in the open daylight, with … many other toyishe diuises.

1653.  S. Fisher, Baby Baptism, 7. It’s a most Pedantick, toyish and boyish piece of business.

1711.  in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 119. Mallice … is apt to make any toyish pretence to be her warrant for evil actions.

1850.  C. Wordsworth, Occas. Serm., Ser. I. 162. By it we have been secured from the hollow mockery of tedious and toyish ceremonies.

  † b.  Wanting in gravity of style; light, frivolous, ? Obs.

1603.  G. Johnson, Disc. Troub. Eng. Ch. Amsterdam, 135. A copple crowned hatt with a twined band,… Immodest and toyish in a Pastors wife.

1615.  Markham, Eng. Housew., II. i. (1668), 3. Adorn the person, altogether without toyish garnishes, or the gloss of light colours.

1676.  Mace, Musick’s Mon., 129. Serabands are of the Shortest Triple-Time: but are more Toyish, and Light.

  2.  Sportive, playful, frisky, skittish. ? Obs.

1577.  Harrison, England, III. vii. (1878), II. 49. The last kind of toiesh curs are named dansers, and those being of a mongrell sort also, are taught & exercised to danse in measure.

c. 1613.  Rowlands, Paire of Spy-Knaves, 5. From merry drunk, and toyish as an Ape.

1680.  O. Heywood, Diaries, etc. (1883), III. 306. Oh this dodging, toyish, frisking heart kills me.

  † b.  Amorously sportive, wanton, licentious.

1563.  Homilies, I. Place & Time of Prayer, I. (1859), 341. They rest in wantonness, in toyish talking, in filthy fleshliness.

  † 3.  Fantastic, odd, whimsical, queer. Obs.

1598.  Florio, Humorista, humorous, fantasticall, toish.

1599.  Harsnet, Agst. Darell, 98. Somers had counterfeyted certaine fits and toyish behaviour at M. Brakenburie.

1638.  Sanderson, Serm., Ad Aulam, viii. (1660), II. 158. Some peevish and obstinate, some toyish, fickle, and humorous.

  4.  Of the nature of, or fit for, a plaything; of a humorous or sportive character, as a writing.

1699.  Pomfret, Dies Noviss. Rem. (1724), 8. Adieu, ye toyish Reeds that once could please My softer lips.

1830.  Scott, Demonol., v. 163. They have many light toyish books.

  5.  Resembling a toy, toy-like; diminutive or flimsy; spec. like, or like that of, a ‘toy’ dog.

1886.  Field, 23 Jan., 113/2. Richmond Puzzle, fourth prize, is at present small and toyish. Ibid. (1890), 8 March, 355/2. His [a Fox Terrier’s] head is now toyish and effeminate.

  Hence Toyishly adv.; Toyishness.

1607.  Markham, Caval., II. (1617), 150. He will exercise his lesson with such wantonnesse and apish toyishnesse.

1624.  Bp. Mountagu, Immed. Addr., 116. See how toyishly these great Masters play with their owne fancies.

1665.  Glanvill, Scepsis Sci., Addr. 23. Your Society … will discredit that toyishness of wanton fancy.