dummy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person who does not talk
    silent person.
  2. noun an ignorant or foolish person
    booby; dope; pinhead; boob; dumbbell.
  3. noun a figure representing the human form
  4. noun a cartridge containing an explosive charge but no bullet
    blank shell; blank.
  5. verb make a dummy of
    dummy up.
    • dummy up the books that are to be published
  6. adjective satellite having the appearance of being real but lacking capacity to function
    • a dummy corporation

WordNet

Dum"my adjective
Etymology
See Dumb.
Definitions
  1. Silent; mute; noiseless; as a dummy engine.
  2. Fictitious or sham; feigned; as, a dummy watch.
Dum"my noun
Wordforms
plural Dummies
Definitions
  1. One who is dumb. H. Smith.
  2. A sham package in a shop, or one which does not contain what its exterior indicates.
  3. An imitation or copy of something, to be used as a substitute; a model; a lay figure; as, a figure on which clothing is exhibited in shop windows; a blank paper copy used to show the size of the future book, etc.
  4. (Drama) One who plays a merely nominal part in any action; a sham character.
  5. A thick-witted person; a dolt. Colloq.
  6. (Railroad) A locomotive with condensing engines, and, hence, without the noise of escaping steam; also, a dummy car.
  7. (Card Playing) The fourth or exposed hand when three persons play at a four-handed game of cards.
  8. A floating barge connected with a pier. Knight.

Webster 1913