Gypsy
[ jip-see ]
/ ˈdʒɪp si /
noun, plural Gyp·sies.
adjective
of or relating to the Gypsies.
(lowercase) Informal.
working independently or without a license: gypsy truckers.
Origin of Gypsy
1505–15; back formation of
gipcyan, aphetic variant of
Egyptian, from a belief that Gypsies came originally from Egypt
OTHER WORDS FROM Gypsy
Example sentences from the Web for gypsies
I see the 'gypsies' are coming out in the Colonial, which will have a vast sale.
George Borrow and His Circle |Clement King Shorter
British Dictionary definitions for gypsies
Gypsy
Gipsy
/ (ˈdʒɪpsɪ) /
noun plural -sies (sometimes not capital)
- a member of a people scattered throughout Europe and North America, who maintain a nomadic way of life in industrialized societies. They migrated from NW India from about the 9th century onwards
- (as modifier)a Gypsy fortune-teller
the language of the Gypsies; Romany
a person who looks or behaves like a Gypsy
Derived forms of Gypsy
Gypsydom or Gipsydom, noun Gypsyhood or Gipsyhood, noun Gypsyish or Gipsyish, adjective Gypsy-like or Gipsy-like, adjectiveWord Origin for Gypsy
C16: from
Egyptian, since they were thought to have come originally from Egypt
Cultural definitions for gypsies
Gypsies
A nomadic people who originated in the region between India and Iran and who migrated to Europe in the fourteenth or fifteenth century. Most now live in Europe and the United States. Their language is called Romany. Thousands were murdered in the holocaust.
notes for Gypsies
One who lives a footloose, carefree life is sometimes called a gypsy.