gaudy

gaudy
\ \ [16] Middle English had a colour term gaudy-green ‘yellowish-green’, which originally denoted ‘green produced by dye obtained from the plant dyer’s rocket, Reseda luteola’, a plant formerly known as weld [14].
\ \ The word weld came from a Germanic source which, borrowed into Old French, produced gaude – whence English gaudy-green. It has been claimed that this gaudy soon lost its literal meaning ‘produced from weld-dye’, and came to be interpreted as ‘bright’. Other etymologists, however, favour the explanation that gaudy comes from gaud ‘joke, plaything’ [14], which was adapted from Old French gaudir ‘rejoice’, a descendant of Latin gaudēre ‘delight in’ (from which English gets joy).

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • Gaudy — ist: Jezioro Gaudy, ein See in Polen Gaudy ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Adolf Gaudy (1872–1956), Schweizer Kirchenarchitekt Alice von Gaudy (1863–1929), deutsche Dichterin Franz von Gaudy (1800–1840), deutscher Dichter und Novellist… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • gaudy — gaudy, tawdry, garish, flashy, meretricious are comparable when meaning vulgar or cheap in its showiness. Something is gaudy which uses gay colors and conspicuous ornaments or ornamentation lavishly, ostentatiously, and tastelessly {gaudy floral… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Gaudy — or Gaudie [ [http://www.ausa.org.uk/student media/gaudie Aberdeen University Students Association GAUDIE ] ] (from the Latin, gaudium , meaning enjoyment or merry making ) is a term used typical to reflect student life in a number of the ancient… …   Wikipedia

  • Gaudy — Gaud y, a. [Compar. {Gaudier}; superl. {Gauidiest}.] 1. Ostentatiously fine; showy; gay, but tawdry or meretricious. [1913 Webster] Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, But not expressed in fancy; rich, not gaudy. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. Gay;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • gaudy — (adj.) showy, tastelessly rich, 1580s, probably ultimately from M.E. gaudi large, ornamental bead in a rosary (early 14c.); but there is a parallel sense of gaudy as full of trickery (1520s), from M.E. gaud deception, trick, from gaudi a jest,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Gaudy — Gaud y, n. A feast or festival; called also {gaud day} and {gaudy day}. [Oxford Univ.] Conybeare. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gaudy — Gaudy, Franz Bernhard Heinrich Wilhelm, Freiherr von, Dichter und Novellist, geb. 19. April 1800 in Frankfurt a. O. als Sprößling einer aus Schottland stammenden Familie, gest. 6. Febr. 1840 in Berlin, erhielt seine Bildung im College français zu …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Gaudy —   [ di], Franz Freiherr von, Schriftsteller, * Frankfurt (Oder) 19. 4. 1800, ✝ Berlin 5. 2. 1840; stammte väterlicherseits aus einer schottischen Familie, war 1818 33 Offizier und lebte dann als freier Schriftsteller, mit A. von Chamisso und W.… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • gaudy — gaudy; gaudy·ware; …   English syllables

  • Gaudy — Gaud y, n.; pl. {Gaudies} [See {Gaud}, n.] One of the large beads in the rosary at which the paternoster is recited. [Obs.] Gower. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gaudy — Gaudy, 1) Friedrich Wilhelm Ernst v. G., geb. den 23. Aug. 1725 in Spandau, trat, nachdem er seine Studien auf der Universität Königsberg beendet hatte, 1744 als Cadet der Garde in die preußische Armee. 1757 war er als Hauptmann u. Flügeladjutant …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

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