noun
- Plural of kelly; a type of heavy iron or steel tool used in drilling, especially for turning the kelly joint in oil wells.
- Plural of kelly; a kelly green color or object of that color (informal, chiefly Australian/British).
Usage: technical; oil industry
Usage: informal; regional
Examples
- The drilling crew replaced the worn kellies before starting the next well.
- The kelly joint connects the drill pipe to the rotary table.
- She wore kellies—bright green shoes—to the parade.
- The equipment shed stored several spare kellies for emergency repairs.