gaai

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word gaai. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word gaai, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say gaai in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word gaai you have here. The definition of the word gaai will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofgaai, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

Dutch

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɣaːi̯/
  • Audio(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
Derived terms

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
Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia