Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ


Dec 23, 2008
This week's theme
Words related to the names of fish

This week's words
minnow
gudgeon
remora
inconnu
tope

Gudgeon
A gudgeon fish
Discuss
Feedback
RSS/XML
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

gudgeon

PRONUNCIATION:
(GUJ-uhn)

MEANING:
noun:
1. A small European fresh-water fish (Gobio gobio) or any of the related fishes, often used as bait.
2. A gullible person.
3. A bait.
4. A pivot, usually made of metal, at the end of a beam, axle, etc., on which a wheel or a similar device turns.

ETYMOLOGY:
(for 1-3) From Latin gobion, variant of gobius, via Old French and Middle English.
(for 4) From Middle English gudyon, from Old French goujon.

USAGE:
"The premise of the argument is that a majority of the American are gudgeons."
The Daily News (Galveston, Texas); Jun 9, 1910.

See more usage examples of gudgeon in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Neither genius, fame, nor love show the greatness of the soul. Only kindness can do that. -Jean Baptiste Henri Lacordaire, preacher, journalist and activist (1802-1861)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith