nosegay

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A small bunch of fragrant flowers or herbs tied in a bundle, often presented as a gift; nosegays were originally intended to be put to the nose for the pleasant sensation or to mask unpleasant odours.
  2. An aroma, a scent.

Pronunciation

/ˈnəʊzɡeɪ/ /ˈnoʊzˌɡeɪ/ En-us-nosegay.flac

Word forms

nosegay nosegays

Etymology

From Late Middle English nōsegai (?), from nōse (“nose”) (from Old English nosu, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *nas- (“nose”)) + gai (“a bright or gay object; an ornament”) (from Old French gai (“cheerful, gay, happy”)); equivalent to nose + gay.

Synonyms

Derived words

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