Gypsies

Gypsies
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.

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  • Gypsies —    The Gypsies, or Roma, entered Europe during the Middle Ages from Northern India. The fact that the Roma had migrated to Europe from the ostensible home of the “Aryan race” did not prevent the Nazis from portraying them as an inferior people… …   Historical dictionary of the Holocaust

  • Gypsies —    Since the Romantic period, Gypsies have had a glamorous image for writers and artists outside their communities, evoking ideas of freedom, exotic passion, mystery, and a life close to nature. In folk tradition, however, the stereotyping is… …   A Dictionary of English folklore

  • gypsies — noun Shortened form of gypsies kiss rhyming with piss …   Wiktionary

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  • Gypsies —    See Roma …   Historical Dictionary of the Russian Federation

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