gaai
Dutch edit
Pronunciation edit
Etymology 1 edit
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 edit
gaai m (plural gaaien, diminutive gaaitje n)
- The jaybird, Garrulus glandarius, a woodland corvine species
- Synonym: Vlaamse gaai
Further reading edit
- gaai on the Dutch Wikipedia.Wikipedia nl
Etymology 2 edit
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 edit
gaai m (plural gaaien, diminutive gaaitje n)
- A wooden, somewhat bird-shaped target, often ornamented with bright plumes, used in archery competitions
- The high wooden stake or tower the above is mounted on
Synonyms edit
- (wooden base) wip, schutsboom m
Derived terms edit
- gaaischieten (verb)
- gaaischieter m
- gaaischieting
Etymology 3 edit
A parallel form of gade (“spouse”).
Noun edit
gaai f (plural gaaien, diminutive gaaitje n or gaaike n)
Synonyms edit
- (animals) wijfje n