GYPSY

Romany, Gypsy

(noun) the Indic language of the Gypsies

gypsy, gipsy

(noun) a person who resembles a Gypsy in leading an unconventional, nomadic way of life

Gypsy, Gipsy, Romany, Rommany, Romani, Roma, Bohemian

(noun) a member of a people with dark skin and hair who speak Romany and who traditionally live by seasonal work and fortunetelling; they are believed to have originated in northern India but now are living on all continents (but mostly in Europe, North Africa, and North America)

itinerant, gypsy, gipsy

(noun) a laborer who moves from place to place as demanded by employment; “itinerant traders”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

Gypsy (plural Gypsies)

(sometimes, offensive) A member of the Romani people, or one of the sub-groups (Roma, Sinti, Romanichal, etc).

A member of other nomadic peoples, not only of the Romani people; a traveller. Alternative spelling of gypsy

Usage notes

• Gypsy is an exonym (a name given by outsiders, based on the mistaken belief that Romanis came from Egypt) and many Romani people find it offensive, as it has negative connotations, such as that the people are dishonest or thieving (compare gypsy, gyp), and it is associated with discrimination and persecution of Romani. Many dictionaries recommend avoiding the term, or give it a negative or warning label. Gypsy is still more common overall than Romani.

• Roma (Rroma) or Rom (Rrom) are sometimes found as synonyms, although narrowly speaking, they refer to a subgroup.

Synonyms

• (self-designations) Romani, Rom, Roma (broad sense)

• (sometimes offensive) zigeuner, tzigane

Proper noun

Gypsy

(rare, sometimes, offensive) The language Romani.

A female given name.

Usage notes

See the notes about the noun, above.

Adjective

Gypsy (not comparable)

(sometimes, offensive) Of or belonging to the Romani people or one of it sub-groups (Roma, Sinti, Romanichel, etc).

Usage notes

See the notes about the noun, above.

Etymology

Noun

gypsy (plural gypsies)

(sometimes, offensive) Alternative form of Gypsy: a member of the Romani people.

(colloquial) An itinerant person or any person, not necessarily Romani; a tinker, a traveller or a carny.

(sometimes, offensive) A move in contra dancing in which two dancers walk in a circle around each other while maintaining eye contact (but not touching as in a swing). (Compare whole gyp, half gyp, and gypsy meltdown, in which this step precedes a swing.)

(theater) A member of a Broadway musical chorus line.

(dated) A person with a dark complexion.

(dated) A sly, roguish woman.

Usage notes

See notes at Gypsy.

Synonyms

• (contra dancing): gyre, gyp, gip

Adjective

gypsy (not comparable)

Alternative form of Gypsy: of or belonging to the Romani people.

(offensive) Of or having the qualities of an itinerant person or group with qualities traditionally ascribed to Romani people; making a living from dishonest practices or theft etc.

Usage notes

See the notes about Gypsy.

Verb

gypsy (third-person singular simple present gypsies, present participle gypsying, simple past and past participle gypsied)

(intransitive) To roam around the country like a gypsy.

To perform the gypsy step in contra dancing.

Source: Wiktionary

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Gyp"sy, n.; pl. Gypsies. Etym: [OE. Gypcyan, F. gyptien Egyptian, gypsy, L. Aegyptius. See Egyptian.] [Also spelled gipsy and gypsey.]

1. One of a vagabond race, whose tribes, coming originally from India, entered Europe in 14th or 15th centry, and are now scattered over Turkey, Russia, Hungary, Spain, England, etc., living by theft, fortune telling, horsejockeying, tinkering, etc. Cf. Bohemian, Romany. Like a right gypsy, hath, at fast and loose, Beguiled me to the very heart of loss. Shak.

2. The language used by the gypsies. Shak.

3. A dark-complexioned person. Shak.

4. A cunning or crafty person [Collog.] Prior.

Gyp"sy a.

Definition: Pertaining to, or suitable for, gypsies. Gypsy hat, a woman's or child's broad-brimmed hat, usually of straw or felt.

– Gypsy winch, a small winch, which may be operated by a crank, or by a ratchet and pawl through a lever working up and down.

Gyp"sy, v. i.

Definition: To play the gypsy; to picnic in the woods. Mostly. Gyp"sy*ing, vb. n.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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