girl

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Synonyms 1.3.3 Derived terms 1.3.4 Translations 1.3.5 References 1.4 See also

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Origin unknown. The Middle English gyrle (“‘child of either sex’”) suggests an Old English *gyrele < Proto-Germanic *gurwilon- (diminutive of * *gurwjoz) < Proto-Indo-European *ghwrgh-. In that case, one cognate is Low German gör, göre (“‘child’”) (or these words could have been borrowed into English). Another possibility (after Robinson 1967) is Old English gyrela (“‘dress, garment’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /gəːl/, SAMPA: /g3:l/
• (US) IPA: /gɝl/, SAMPA: /g3`l/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

  Rhymes: -ɜː(r)l

[edit] Noun

girl (plural girls)

1. A young female (in contrast to boy), usually a child or adolescent.

   Amanda is a girl of 16.

2. Any woman, regardless of her age. See usage notes.
3. A female servant; a maid. See usage notes.
4. (figuratively, pejorative) A boy with girl-like qualities, especially squeamishness.

   Stop being such a girl and punch back.

5. (uncommon) A queen (the playing card.)^[1]
6. (colloquial) A term of endearment. See usage notes.

[edit] Usage notes

• (any woman, regardless of her age): Calling a grown woman a "girl" may be considered either a compliment or an insult, depending on context and sensibilities. In some cases, the term is used as a euphemism for virgin, to distinguish a female who has never engaged in sexual intercourse whereas a woman is one who has done so.

[edit] Synonyms

• See also Wikisaurus:girl

[edit] Derived terms

Look at pages starting with girl.

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

• Notes:

1. ^ * Weisenberg, Michael (2000) The Official Dictionary of Poker. MGI/Mike Caro University. ISBN 978-1880069523

[edit] See also

• miss