Gewgaw definition

jē-, gē-
A decorative trinket; a bauble.
noun
2
0
Something showy but useless and of little value; trinket.
noun
0
0
Showy but useless.
adjective
0
0
A showy trifle, a toy; a showy trinket, ornament or decoration. [from 15th c.]
noun
0
0
adjective
0
0
Advertisement

Alternative Forms

Alternative Form of gewgaw - geegaw, gew-gaw

Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
gewgaw
Plural:
gewgaws

Origin of gewgaw

  • Middle English giuegaue

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From earlier gugaw, gygaw, from Middle English givegove (“gewgaw, trifle”), a reduplication of Middle English give, geove (“gift”), from Old English giefu, geofu, geafu (“gift”), from Proto-Germanic *gebō (“gift”). Compare Icelandic gyligjöf (“showy gifts, gewgaw”). More at give.

    From Wiktionary