Nose-gay

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"). A nosegay, posy, or tussie-mussie is a small flower bouquet. They have existed in some form since at least medieval times, when they were carried or worn around the head or bodice.

[1]. Discover the fascinating traditions behind a treasured modern floral custom – and make your own medieval nosegay for gifts and mementoes. What does the noun nosegay mean?

tussie-mussie nosegay

There are five meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun nosegay, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. nosegay has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. How common is the noun nosegay?. Nosegay, small, hand-held bouquet popular in mid- 19th-century Victorian England as an accessory carried by fashionable ladies.

Composed of mixed flowers and herbs and edged with a paper frill or greens, the arrangement was sometimes inserted into a silver filigree holder. Collins English Dictionary. English Quiz. All rights reserved. Examples of 'nosegay' in a sentence nosegay. These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins.

We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to the Collins team. Read more…. More Synonyms of nosegay. Trends of nosegay. Browse alphabetically nosegay. Quick word challenge Quiz Review. Check See the answer Next Next quiz Review. Learn about proper nouns: specific names, places, and titles that always start with a capital letter. Examples included!

June 30, Read more. Discover ten odd but valid Scrabble words that showcase the quirky side of language, from "bdelium" to "tchick. Learn the difference between "principle" and "principal" with clear examples to help you use each word correctly in context. Read more. Elevate your Scrabble game with the letter Z!

Explore high-scoring words and tips to maximize your points on the board. Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom. We have almost lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots! Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!

Register now or log in to access. Unlock this page by registering for free on collinsdictionary. Word Lists. Grammar English Easy Learning Grammar. Grammar Patterns. English Usage. Teaching Resources. Video Guides.