adj. (colloquial).—1. Short and stout; lumpy; STUMPY (q.v.).
1712. ADDISON, The Spectator, No. 433, 17 July. They had no titles of honour among them, but such as denoted some bodily strength or perfection, as such an one ‘the tall,’ such an one ‘the STOCKY,’ such an one ‘the gruff.’
1856. EMERSON, English Traits, iv., ‘Race.’ It is the fault of their forms that they grow STOCKY, and the women have that disadvantage,—few tall, slender figures of flowing shape, but stunted and thickset persons.
2. (provincial).—‘Irritable, headstrong and contrary, combined’ (HALLIWELL). Also (3) impudent, BRASSY (q.v.).
1856. G. ELIOT, Amos Barton, v. He was a boy whom Mrs. Hackit in a severe mood had pronounced STOCKY.
