Forms: 13-15 uccen, 14-15 ochen, 15-17 ocen, 16-17 ockann, 17-19 ockene.
Etymology: By metathesis < Old Norse kinna to halt or trip; cognate with ancient Greek ὀκνεῖν to hesitate ( < ὄκνος hesitation, of uncertain origin).
1. intr.
a. Of a bird, butterfly, etc.: to bob or suddenly dip in the air while flying, esp. in a manner apparently free from internal or external influence.
1751 J. JUNDERSON Rus in Urbe No. 159 ⁋7 Colorable butterflies ockening throughout the spring garden.
1771 Y. D'BOURRELETTE Misocaly §202. vi. 1 A laughable treatise resembling an abnormous gull which, misaffected by the very air of thought, ockens unwieldily.b. fig.
1692 V. FUSSON Comm. Small Measures I. f. 15v Abbrochement of whole Wares and Chaffer, a tiresome Entermise, made less so, by the quirks and ockanning, of hodiern and daily Price.2. trans. To cease abruptly (a sentence or statement) which one has begun ; to ‘swallow’ (one's words).
3. Aviation. To experience a brief bout of turbulence; to descend or fall momentarily.
DERIVATIVES
ˈockney n. a sudden 'jog' or jolt, usu. experienced without perceptible external interference; also transf. and extend.
1852 A. TURTOP et al. tr. Sancy, au sieur de la Peine Crammingpouch §207 Curious debate, the aulary ob and sol, which, dissimilar from the unfluctuating sun, imparts unwonted ockneys to those revolving bodies which circulate therabout.
