gaai

Dutch

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɣaːi̯/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: gaai
  • Rhymes: -aːi̯

Etymology 1

Garrulus glandarius

From Old French gai, from Late Latin gaius (“jay”). Further etymology uncertain, though plausibly echoic, and supposedly influenced by the Roman common given name Gaius.

Noun

gaai m (plural gaaien, diminutive gaaitje n)

  1. The jaybird, Garrulus glandarius, a woodland corvine species
    Synonym: Vlaamse gaai

Further reading

Etymology 2

A parallel form of papagaai (“parrot”), by popular etymology confused with etymology 1, but actually from Middle Dutch papagoie, papegoie, from Arabic ⁧بَبَّغَاء⁩ (babbaḡāʔ) and Persian ⁧بپغا⁩ (bapğâ), of uncertain origin.

Noun

gaai m (plural gaaien, diminutive gaaitje n)

  1. A wooden, somewhat bird-shaped target, often ornamented with bright plumes, used in archery competitions
  2. The high wooden stake or tower the above is mounted on
Synonyms
  • (wooden base) wip, schutsboom m
Derived terms
  • gaaischieten (verb)
  • gaaischieter m
  • gaaischieting

Etymology 3

A parallel form of gade (“spouse”).

Noun

gaai f (plural gaaien, diminutive gaaitje n or gaaike n)

  1. (uncommon) A female spouse, notably (and mostly used in the diminutive):
    1. a female bird
    2. a female fish
    3. (humorous) a human mistress or wife
Synonyms
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