- gipsy
- Gypsy Gyp"sy (j[i^]p"s[y^]), n.; pl. {Gypsies}
(j[i^]p"s[i^]z). [OE. Gypcyan, F. ['e]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 the 14th or 15th century,
and are now scattered over Turkey, Russia, Hungary, Spain,
England, etc., living by theft, fortune telling,
horsejockeying, tinkering, etc. Cf. {Bohemian}, {Romany}.
[1913 Webster]
Like a right gypsy, hath, at fast and loose, Beguiled me to the very heart of loss. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. The language used by the gypsies. [1913 Webster]
3. A dark-complexioned person. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
4. A cunning or crafty person. [Colloq.] --Prior. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
