Quincy

English

Etymology

A Norman surname of Old French origin, from a place name Quincy or Quincey in France, ultimately from Latin Quintus (“fifth [born]”).

Use in reference to toilets derives from President John Quincy Adams, who was the first to have one installed at the White House.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkwɪnsi/

• Audio (AU)

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Proper noun

Quincy

1. A surname from Old French.
2. (US) A male given name transferred from the surname
3. A female given name.
4. Any of a number of places in the US named after people with the surname, including:
   1. A census-designated place, the county seat of Plumas County, California. Originally named Quinsy.
   2. A city, the county seat of Gadsden County, Florida.
   3. A city, the county seat of Adams County, Illinois.
   4. A city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
      • 2022, Percival Everett, Dr. No, Influx Press (2023), page 205:

        ‘Adjacent to the city of Boston, Massachusetts, is a township named Quincy.’

Derived terms

• East Quincy
• West Quincy

Noun

Quincy (usually uncountable, plural Quincies)

1. A kind of dry white wine made from Sauvignon blanc grapes grown near Quincy in the Loire valley.
2. (US, euphemistic slang, obsolete) A toilet: a fixture for urination and defecation, particularly (humorous) as a personification of the device.

   I'll be right back. I need to go visit Quincy.

Synonyms

• (wine): Sauvignon blanc
• (toilet): See Thesaurus:toilet