gypsy
pronunciation
How to pronounce gypsy in British English:
UK [ˈdʒɪpsi]
How to pronounce gypsy in American English:
US [ˈdʒɪpsi]
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- Noun:
- a member of a nomadic people originating in northern India and now living on all continents
- the Indic language of the Gypsies
Word Origin
- gypsy
- gypsy: [16] It appears that in late medieval Europe, it was widely believed that the Roma people originated in Egypt. They first appeared in England around the beginning of the 16th century, and at first were generally referred to as ‘Egyptians’ (a name which survived well into the 18th century). Egyptian was soon eroded to gyptian, and by the end of the 16th century a new ending had been grafted on to the word to produce gypsy.
- Gypsy (n.)
- also gipsy, c. 1600, alteration of gypcian, a worn-down Middle English dialectal form of egypcien "Egyptian," from the supposed origin of the people. As an adjective, from 1620s. Compare British gippy (1889) a modern shortened colloquial form of Egyptian. Cognate with Spanish Gitano and close in sense to Turkish and Arabic Kipti "gypsy," literally "Coptic;" but in Middle French they were Bohémien (see bohemian), and in Spanish also Flamenco "from Flanders." "The gipsies seem doomed to be associated with countries with which they have nothing to do" [Weekley]. Zingari, the Italian and German name, is of unknown origin. Romany is from the people's own language, a plural adjective form of rom "man." Gipsy was the preferred spelling in England. The name is also in extended use applied to "a person exhibiting any of the qualities attributed to Gipsies, as darkness of complexion, trickery in trade, arts of cajolery, and, especially as applied to a young woman, playful freedom or innocent roguishness of action or manner" [Century Dictionary]. As an adjective from 1620s with a sense "unconventional; outdoor."
Synonym
Example
- 1. My mother has always said that I have " gypsy " in my blood .
- 2. I was , though , completely unaware of the outrageous way the media portrays the gypsy population .
- 3. His lengthy judgment , lasting almost three hours ( the stenographer was clearly flagging towards the end ) , seemed to rule out any chance of a successful final appeal , although the gypsy council 's vice-chair , candy sheridan , promised to mount one .
- 4. Starting in late july , roma ( gypsy ) encampments on the outskirts of many french cities have been progressively dismantled in dawn raids .
- 5. Women and children scatter to avoid a police raid at a gypsy camp hidden in a forest outside moscow .