a. [f. TRICK sb. + -Y.] Characterized by or full of tricks.
1. Given to the practice of crafty or deceitful tricks; characterized by trickery.
1786. Burns, To Auld Mare, v. Tho’ ye was trickie, slee, an’ funnie, Ye ne’er was donsie.
1812. Walker, in P. Graham, Agric. Surv. Stirling, 401. A minister … paid in kind from the small tricky heritors, who are imposing upon him grain of the worst quality.
1831–54. Ld. Cockburn, Jrnl., ii. (1874), 113. As Lord President he was tricky.
1868. E. Edwards, Ralegh, I. ii. 27. Very characteristic … of the tricky and tortuous policy of Elizabeth’s government.
b. Skilled in performing clever tricks or dodges.
1887. Daily News, 19 May, 3/3. It had gained many prizes, and was what he might call a tricky dog.
1890. L. C. D’Oyle, Notches, 63. I used to be what they call a ‘tricky’ hunter.
1901. Essex Weekly News, 29 March, 8/3. His partner … was the trickiest forward on the field.
2. Having the deceptive character of a trick; containing unexpected difficulties; needing cautious action or handling; risky, catchy, ticklish. colloq.
1887. Saintsbury, Hist. Elizab. Lit., iv. (1890), 111. One of the tricky things called echo sonnets.
1887. L’pool Daily Post, 14 Feb., 5/7. Accompanying certain recitations with music, which at first appeared a rather tricky experiment.
1891. Kipling, Light that Failed, i. Revolvers are tricky things for young hands to deal with.
