wikipedia
English
Etymology
From ON. keng, bent + bogi, a bow.
Pronunciation
US: IPA|/��kɪm.bo/
Rhymes: Rhymes:English:-ɪmb��|-ɪmb��
Adjective
en-adj|-
- With a crook or bend; with the hand on the hip and elbow turned outward.
Quotations
<blockquote>
"Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms
akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now."
<BR>W:Sir Arthur Conan Doyle|Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in W:The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle|The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle.
</blockquote>
Adverb
en-adv|-
- Into or of the position where the arms are akimbo.
:The man was standing akimbo.
Usage notes
The adverb form appears to be newer, as "arms" are dropped as redundant. That is, in more modern usage (circa 2004) standing akimbo has displaced standing with arms akimbo.
References
http://www.quinion.com/words/qa/qa-aki1.htm
fa:akimbo
io:akimbo
vi:akimbo
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