rickety

adj

Etymology: From dialectal ricket (“unstable, rickety”) + -y, and/or ricket (“to move noisily and in a reckless way”) + -y. Alternatively, and perhaps less likely, from rickets + -y.

1. Of an object: not strong or sturdy, as because of poor construction or upkeep; not safe or secure.

   “He hesitated about climbing such a small, rickety ladder.”

   “She now knew every article Mrs Dibble had to sell, and the large part of the stock that was unsaleable by reason of its damaged state. Customers turned away from rickety chairs, stands of drawers that refused to open, or had no handles, lop-sided wardrobes whose doors were out of plumb or whose mirrors were cracked.”

2. Feeble in the joints; tottering.

   “The rickety old man hardly managed to climb the stairs.”

3. Affected with or suffering from rickets; rachitic.