or carny, subs. (colloquial).—Soothing and seductive flattery; language covering a design. [The origin is unknown, though some have conjectured the word to be of Irish derivation. As a verb it first appears as a dialecticism, and is now mostly in use as a ppl. adj.—CARNEYING (q.v.). The word, however, seems to be fast making its way into respectable usage, and is even now largely in literary use.]
Verb. tr. and intrans.—To wheedle; coax or insinuate oneself; to act in a cajoleing manner.—See CARNEYING.
