gaai

• IPA^(key): /ˈɣaːi̯/

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• Rhymes: -aːi̯

From Old French gai, from Late Latin gaius (“jay”). Further etymology uncertain, though plausibly echoic, and supposedly influenced by the Roman common given name Gaius.

gaai m (plural gaaien, diminutive gaaitje n)

1. (zoology) The jaybird, Garrulus glandarinus, a woodland corvine species

• Vlaamse gaai (literally 'Flemish jay')

A parallel form of papagaai (“parrot”), by popular etymology confused with etymology 1, but actually from Middle Dutch papagoie, papegoie, from Arabic بَبَّغَاء‎ (babbaḡāʾ) and Persian بپغا‎ (bapğâ), of uncertain origin.

gaai m (plural gaaien, diminutive gaaitje n)

1. A wooden, somewhat bird-shaped target, often ornamented with bright plumes, used in archery competitions
2. The high wooden stake or tower the above is mounted on

• (wooden base) wip, schutsboom m

• gaaischieten (verb)
• gaaischieter m
• gaaischieting

A parallel form of gade (“spouse”).

gaai f (plural gaaien, diminutive gaaitje n or gaaike n)

1. (uncommon) A female spouse, notably (and mostly used in the diminutive):
   1. a female bird
   2. a female fish
   3. (humorous) a human mistress or wife

• (animals) wijfje n