dolly

Definitions

noun a metalworking tool, available in a variety of shapes and sizes, comprising a curved polished block of cast iron or forged steel, used to assist in forming three-dimensional shapes and in straightening dented panels, usually by holding the dolly behind the metal to be shaped and hammering the metal
noun a trolley that supports the front wheels when a disabled vehicle is being towed

One of a variety of small, wheeled devices used to move heavy loads.
A block of wood placed on the upper end of a pile to cushion the blow of a hammer.
A steel bar with a shaped head to back up a rivet while the rivet is being driven.

noun a ball, struck (or mis-hit) by the batsman, that comes slowly to a fielder, usually with a high trajectory, presenting him with a simple catch
Citation ‘Wells received a “dolly” catch and bowl off the splice’ (Daily Chronicle 17 August 1904)
noun a slow high underarm ball; a donkey drop
Citation ‘But he might give Mr. Champain an over or two of his ‘dollies’’ (Neville Cardus Close of Play 1956)
verb to hit the ball so as to present a fielder with a simple catch
Citation ‘He picked the wrong ball from Pocock for a pull and dollied it to mid-on’ (D. J. Rutnagar, Daily Telegraph 1 June 1984)
verb (of the ball) to come off the bat straight to a fielder
Citation ‘Colin [Cowdrey] played at it and got an edge, the ball dollying to Andy Corran at first slip’ (Bomber Wells, Cricketer December 1982)

An industrial platform provided with wheels or another form of movement, utilized to transport and position electronic equipment such as TV cameras.

adjective excellent, attractive, cute. A vogue word of the mid-1960s, enshrined in the title of adam Diment’s fashionable novel The Dolly Dolly Spy. The word passed from camp theatrical and homosexual use to general currency for a year or so. It survives in middle-class speech as an ironic or scathing synonym for ‘twee’.

13 definitions in context