gaai

Dutch

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɣaːi̯/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aːi̯

Etymology 1

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

gaai m (plural gaaien, diminutive gaaitje n)

1. (zoology) The jaybird, , a woodland corvine species

Synonyms

• Vlaamse gaai (literally 'Flemish jay')

Etymology 2

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

gaai m (plural gaaien, diminutive gaaitje n)

1. A wooden, somewhat bird-shaped target, often ornamented with bright plumes, used in archery competitions
2. The high wooden stake or tower the above is mounted on

Synonyms

• (wooden base) wip, schutsboom m

Derived terms

• gaaischieten (verb)
• gaaischieter m
• gaaischieting

Etymology 3

A parallel form of gade (“spouse”).

Noun

gaai f (plural gaaien, diminutive gaaitje n or gaaike n)

1. (uncommon) A female spouse, notably (and mostly used in the diminutive):
   1. a female bird
   2. a female fish
   3. (humorous) a human mistress or wife

Synonyms

• (animals) wijfje n