| 释义 |
gay
I. \ˈgā\ adjective
(-er/-est)
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French gai, probably from Old Provençal, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German gāhi rapid, hurried, impetuous
1. : excited and merry : manifesting or inclined to joyous exhibition of content or pleasure
< gay carefree children >
< a gay word of greeting >
2.
a. : bright and lively in appearance
< gay sunny meadows >
b. : brilliant in color
< the dress a bit too gay for her years >
c. chiefly Britain, of poultry : marked with white
< Anconas often become gayer with age >
3. obsolete
a. : first-class, fine, excellent
b. : speciously or artfully brilliant — used of things immaterial (as reasoning or rhetoric)
4.
a. : given to social pleasures
b. : inclined to the dissipations of society : licentious, loose
c. of a woman : leading an immoral life; especially : engaging in prostitution
5. dialect England, of health or physical condition : good
< not feeling so gay today >
< looked quite gay after his spell >
6.
a. of an animal : alert, keen, lively
b. of a tail : carried high, erect, or curled over the back
< the tail of a Persian cat should never be gay >
7. : impertinent and forward : brash, fresh — usually used with get
< don't get gay with me if you want to keep out of trouble >
8.
a. : homosexual
b. : of, relating to, or being a socially integrated group oriented toward and concerned with the welfare of the homosexual
< a gay newspaper >
Synonyms: see lively
II. noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English, from gay, adjective
1. obsolete : a gay person or pastime
2. dialect England
a. : a toy or ornament especially for a child
b. : an illustration in a book or paper
< haven't got my glasses but I can still read the gays >
III. adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from gay, adjective
: gaily, brightly, joyously — used in combination
< the gay-colored flowers >
IV. verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: gay (I)
intransitive verb
: to behave gaily : become gay
< a bird gaying on a branch before the window >
transitive verb
: to make gay, bright, or cheerful — usually used with up
< fresh paint and new curtains will gay up a dingy kitchen >
V.
variant of gey
VI. noun
: homosexual ; especially : a homosexual male |