toy

English

/tɔɪ/

noun
Definitions
  • Something to play with, especially as intended for use by a child.
  • A thing of little importance or value; a trifle.
  • A simple, light piece of music, written especially for the virginal.
  • (obsolete) Love play, amorous dalliance; fondling.
  • (obsolete) A vague fancy, a ridiculous idea or notion; a whim.
  • (slang) An inferior graffiti artist.
  • (obsolete) An old story; a silly tale.
  • (Scotland) A headdress of linen or wool that hangs down over the shoulders, worn by old women of the lower classes; called also toy mutch.
  • A sex toy object or device to give sexual pleasure.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English toye (amorous play, piece of fun entertainment) derived from Old Dutch *tiug derived from Proto-Germanic *teugą (stuff, device, matter, literally that which is drawn, gear), *teuhaną (pull, bring, lead, drag, help, draw) derived from Proto-Indo-European *dewk- (pull, lead, draw, tug).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*dewk-

Gloss

pull, lead, draw, tug

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

鉛

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms