Revised 2020
† Zinganinoun
Factsheet
What does the noun Zingani mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun Zingani. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around the 1870s.
Where does the noun Zingani come from?
Earliest known use
late 1500s
The earliest known use of the noun Zingani is in the late 1500s.
OED's earliest evidence for Zingani is from 1581, in a translation by George Pettie, writer of romances.
Zingani is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Turkish, combined with an English element. Partly a borrowing from Italian.
Etymons: French cinganes, cingane; Ottoman Turkish Çingāne, English ‑s; Italian zingani, zingano.
Nearby entries
- Zindiq, n.1667–
- zine, n.1946–
- zineb, n.1950–
- zines, int.?1701–10
- zinester, n.1986–
- zinfandel, n.1880–
- zing, v.1899–
- zing, int. & n.1875–
- zingana, n.¹1883
- zingana, n.²1911–
- Zingani, n.1581–1879
- Zingara, n.1756–
- Zingaro, n.1600–
- zingel, n.1803–
- zingelin perch, n.1803
- zinger, n.1906–
- Zingg, n.1941–
- zingho, n.1743
- zingiber, n.?1720–
- zingiberaceous, adj.1821–
- zingily, adv.1951–
Etymology
Summary
Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Turkish, combined with an English element. Partly a borrowing from Italian.
Etymons: French cinganes, cingane; Ottoman Turkish Çingāne, English ‑s; Italian zingani, zingano.
In α forms < Middle French singuanes (1553, plural), cinganes (c1579, plural (singular cingane); in French also as †zingane (1637)), probably < Italian (see below).In β forms < Ottoman Turkish Çingāne, Çingān, Çingene…
In α forms < Middle French singuanes (1553, plural), cinganes (c1579, plural (singular cingane); in French also as †zingane (1637)), probably < Italian (see below).In β forms < Ottoman Turkish Çingāne, Çingān, Çingene, Çingen (1525; Turkish Çingene, (regional) Çingan (plural Çingeneler); < medieval Greek: see below) + English ‑s, plural ending.In γ forms < Italian †zingani, plural of †zingano (a1470), probably < medieval Greek τσίγγανος (see Tzigane n.).Compare zingana n.1
Notes
Compare early modern German Zingyner (1514; compare Zigeuner n.), Spanish cingano (1631 or earlier), both probably < Italian.
In the β forms with initial z- perhaps partly showing alteration after Italian zingano. With the form Zinganaes perhaps compare Italian zingana (see zingana n.1).
Meaning & use
Obsolete.
- 1581–1879
- 1581
Your meaning is..that as it is lawefull onely for the Cinganes [French Cingeurs] to robbe, so these also haue priuiledge to play in open streete.
G. Pettie, translation of S. Guazzo, Ciuile Conuersation i. 26 - 1684
There are thousands of Gypsies or Zinganies in Turkey.
T. Smith in Philosophical Transactions (Royal Society) vol. 14 446 - a1733
A gang of Zingans, or gypses.
E. Chishull, Travels in Turkey (1747) 93 - 1838
They were very sweet nondescripts, but not very perfect beggars; and far, far indeed from perfect Zinganies.
W. Howitt, Rural Life of England vol. I. iii. i. 249 - 1879
The number of pulse-beats per minute varies within wide limits: the Congo Negroes (62), and next to them the Hottentots and Rumanians (64), have the slowest pulses. Then follow the Zingani (69), Magyars and Caffres (70).
London Medical Record 15 May 210/1
- 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
α.
- 1500sCinganes
β.
- 1600sZinganaes
- 1600s; 1800sZinganies
- 1700sZingans
- 1800sChinganes, Chinganies, Chinganis, Jinganis
γ.
- 1800sZingani