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dolly

UK[ˈdɒli]US[ˈdɑːli]
n

A child's word for a doll.

n

A low, flat platform on wheels used for moving heavy loads.

n

A specialized piece of equipment, often on wheels, used to support a camera, microphone, or other device.

Etymology

The word 'dolly' originated in the 16th century as a diminutive and pet name for 'Doll', itself a nickname for 'Dorothy'. By the late 16th century, it began to be applied generically to a child's doll, transferring the personal name to a toy representing a human figure. In the 19th and 20th centuries, this concept of a small, movable object was extended metaphorically to various tools and devices, such as a wheeled platform for moving heavy items or a mobile camera support, all sharing the core idea of a small, helpful, and often mobile unit.

Analysis

The word is a simplex. It is a diminutive form derived from the personal name 'Doll', a pet form of 'Dorothy'.

Examples

The little girl carried her dolly everywhere she went.

The movers used a dolly to transport the refrigerator.

The filmmaker placed the camera on a dolly for a smooth tracking shot.

dolly – Meaning, Etymology & Word Origin | OpenEtymology