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Nosegay is a homegrown word—that is, it originated in English. 15th-century Middle English speakers joined nose (which meant then what it does today) with gay (which, at the time, meant "ornament"). That makes nosegay an appropriate term for a bunch of flowers, which is indeed an ornament that appeals to the nose. Today, the word nosegay is especially common in the bridal business, where it usually refers to a specific type of bouquet: a round, tight bunch of flowers as opposed to a cascading bouquet or other type of arrangement. Occasionally, the word is used metaphorically for things that somehow resemble a bouquet. For example, a compact collection of enjoyably lighthearted short stories might be called "a nosegay of a book."
Examples of nosegay in a Sentence
Word History
Middle English, from nose nose + gay ornament, literally, something gay, from gay
15th century, in the meaning defined above
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Dictionary Entries Near nosegay
Cite this Entry
“Nosegay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nosegay. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
nosegay
nounMore from Merriam-Webster on nosegay
Britannica English: Translation of nosegay for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nosegay
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