Revised 2020
† Zigeunerinnoun
Factsheet
What does the noun Zigeunerin mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun Zigeunerin. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around the 1880s.
Where does the noun Zigeunerin come from?
Earliest known use
1840s
The earliest known use of the noun Zigeunerin is in the 1840s.
OED's earliest evidence for Zigeunerin is from 1845, in the writing of William Makepeace Thackeray, novelist.
Zigeunerin is a borrowing from German.
Etymons: German Zigeunerin.
Nearby entries
- Ziegfeld, n.1913–
- Ziegler, n.1957–
- Ziegler-Natta, n.1965–
- Ziehl, n.1892–
- Ziehl-Neelsen, n.1892–
- ziff, n.1917–
- ZIFT, n.1988–
- zig, n.1978–
- zig, v.1969–
- Zigeuner, n. & adj.1802–
- Zigeunerin, n.1845–83
- ziggety, int., adj., & adv.1924–
- ziggurat, n.1873–
- zigzag, n., adj., & adv.1712–
- zigzag, v.1777–
- zigzag connection, n.1922–
- zigzagged, adj.1774–
- zigzaggery, n.1761–
- zigzaggy, adj.a1845–
- zigzag machine, n.1952–
- zigzag trefoil, n.1796–
Etymology
Summary
A borrowing from German.
Etymon: German Zigeunerin.
< German Zigeunerin (1494; plural Zigeunerinnen) Romani woman < Zigeuner Zigeuner n. + ‑in, suffix forming feminine nouns.Compare earlier Zigeuner n.
Meaning & use
Obsolete. rare.
- 1845–83In German or German-speaking contexts: a Romani woman or girl.
- 1845
Here should come the gleemen and jongleurs,..the dark-eyed nut-brown Zigeunerinnen.
W. M. Thackeray, Legend of Rhine x, in G. Cruikshank's Table-book 198 - 1883
They would get Gretchen to whisper in her Jüdisch Deutsch, ‘Thy mother bought thee of a Zigeunerin for zwei Pfennige.’
Harper's Magazine February 442/2
- gyptian1533–1874A member of a widely dispersed, traditionally itinerant people originating in South Asia and now found mainly in Europe and North and South…
- Egyptian1538–= Gypsy, n. & adj.
- Bohemian1574–A Gypsy, a member of the Romani people. Now rare (chiefly historical).
- Gypsy1574–Usually with capital initial. A member of a widely dispersed, traditionally itinerant people originating in South Asia and now found mainly in… Now sometimes considered derogatory or offensive, the term Gypsy has been steadily replaced in official contexts by Romani or (in plural) Roma. Nevertheless, Gypsy remains the most widely used term for this group among English-speakers. It is also sometimes used to refer to or include Travellers (see traveller, n. 2b.i), whose way of life is similar in certain respects. However, this usage is generally deprecated by members of both communities.
- tinker1575–British and Irish English. Chiefly derogatory. Any itinerant trader, performer, or beggar; spec. (esp. Scottish and Irish English) a Traveller…
- Zingani1581–1879With plural agreement. The Romani people; Gypsies collectively. Cf. zingana, n.¹, Zingaro, n.
- Zingaro1600–A member of the Romani people, a Gypsy; (in later use) esp. one from Italy. Cf. Zingara, n., Zingani, n. Now rare and sometimes considered offensive.
- moonman1608–cant. A Gypsy. Now historical.
- faw1756–A Gypsy, Traveller, or other person with an itinerant way of life.
- vagabond1756–A nomad. rare.
- Zingara1756–A Romani woman or girl. Cf. Zingaro, n., zingana, n.¹
- gitano1761–A Romani man or boy from Spain (esp. Andalusia); a male Spanish Gypsy. Cf. gitana, n.
- gitanac1770–A Romani woman or girl from Spain (esp. Andalusia); a female Spanish Gypsy. Cf. gitano, n.
- Roman1800–= Rom, n.²
- Romani1800–A member of a widely dispersed ethnic group, found mainly in Europe and North and South America, tracing its origins to South Asia; = Rom, n.² Cf…
- Tzigane1802–A member of the Romani people; a Gypsy, esp. one from central or eastern Europe, particularly Hungary. Now often considered offensive.
- Zigeuner1802–Esp. in German-speaking countries or in Hungary: a member of the Romani people, a Gypsy. Now rare and often considered offensive.
- Sinti1827–A Romani people of central and eastern Europe. Also occasionally as a count noun: a member of this people.
- piker1838–Chiefly English regional. derogatory. (A term of abuse for) a vagrant, tramp, or good-for-nothing; = pikey, n. & adj.¹
- pikey1838–Chiefly English regional (south-eastern) slang. derogatory. Now considered offensive. A traveller or Gypsy; a vagrant, a tramp; (hence more generally) a lower-class person, regarded as coarse or disreputable.
- Rom1841–A member of a widely dispersed ethnic group, found mainly in Europe and North and South America, tracing its origins to South Asia and speaking a…
- Zincalo1841–A Spanish Romani person (esp. a man or boy). Often in plural. Cf. gitano, n., Zincala, n.
- Romanichal1843–A member of a widely dispersed ethnic group, found mainly in Europe and North and South America, tracing its origins to South Asia; = Romani, n. A.1.
- Zincala1844–91A Romani woman or girl from Spain. Cf. gitana, n., Zincalo, n.
- Zigeunerin1845–83In German or German-speaking contexts: a Romani woman or girl.
- nomadian1847A nomad.
- Romanichal1851–spec. (usually in form Romany chal). A Romani boy or man. Cf. Romany chai, n. Now rare.
- Romany chai1851–A Romani girl or woman. Cf. Romanichal, n. A.2.
- didicoi1853–British (colloquial and regional). Now usually derogatory and offensive. A Gypsy, a member of the Romani people; (also) a member of any traditionally itinerant community; a Traveller. Sometimes (chiefly in Romani usage)…
- Bedouin1863–transferred. One who leads a Bedouin-like life elsewhere; a wanderer, an itinerant. (Cf. city Arab, n.)
- gyppo1868–Chiefly British. A member of the Romani people; a Gypsy. Now also in extended use: a poor or ill-kempt person. Now offensive and derogatory.
- zingana1883A Romani woman or girl. Cf. Zingani, n., Zingara, n.
- gyp1886–colloquial (sometimes considered offensive). A Gypsy; a member of the Romani people.
Forms
Variant forms
- 1800sZigeunerin, Zigeunerinnen (plural)