What does "gudgeon" mean?
A small freshwater fish, Gobio gobio, that is native to Eurasia.
Gudgeon
/ˈɡʌdʒən/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A small freshwater fish, Gobio gobio, that is native to Eurasia.
- Grammar: gudgeon is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: arbor, axis, axle, axle bar.
- Useful contrasts: savvy person, skeptic.
- Usage evidence: [...] Ile tell thee more of this another time. / But fiſh not with this melancholy baite, / For this foole gudgin, this opinion: [...]
How to use "gudgeon"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "gudgeon" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "gudgeon" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "gudgeon" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 A small freshwater fish, Gobio gobio, that is native to Eurasia.
"[...] Ile tell thee more of this another time. / But fiſh not with this melancholy baite, / For this foole gudgin, this opinion: [...]"
- 2 A circular or cylindrical fitting, often made of metal, into which a pin or pintle fits to create a hinge or pivoting joint. also, attributive
"[A]s to a Wheel-barrow, I fancy'd I could make all but the Wheel; but that I had no Notion of, neither did I know how to go about it; beſides, I had no possible way to make the Iron Gudgeons for the Spindle or Axis of the Wheel to run in, ſo I gave it over; [...]"
- 3 small slender European freshwater fish often used as bait by anglers wordnet
- 4 Cottus bairdii, more widely known as mottled sculpin. Canada
- 5 In a vessel with a stern-mounted rudder: the fitting into which the pintle of the rudder fits, allowing the rudder to swing freely. specifically
"This afternoon the gudgeon of the rudder belonging to the large cutter, was drawn out and ſtolen, without being perceived by the man that was ſtationed to take care of her."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 small spiny-finned fish of coastal or brackish waters having a large head and elongated tapering body having the ventral fins modified as a sucker wordnet
- 7 Any of various similar small fish of the family Eleotridae, often used as bait. Australia
"The southern purple-spotted gudgeon [Mogurnda adspersa] can be hard to find. Although colourful, they are thin and only grow up to 12 centimetres."
- 8 Other fish, similar in appearance, principally in families Butidae and Eleotridae, but also in others.
- 9 A person apt to take the bait; one easily cheated or duped; also, an idiot. archaic, figuratively
"The Doctor now obeys the Summons, / Likes both his Company, and Commons; / Diſplays his Talent, ſits till Ten; / Next Day invited, comes again; / Soon grows Domeſtick, ſeldom fails, / Either at Morning, or at Meals; / Came early, and departed late: / In ſhort, the Gudgeon took the Bait."
- 10 Something used to lure or tempt; bait, a lure. archaic, figuratively
Verb
- 1 To deprive (someone) fraudulently; to cheat, to dupe. archaic, transitive
"I have seen when you were willing to tie his points or brush his cloak, or the like—and to be treated thus ungratefully—and gudgeoned of the opportunities which had been given you—"
- 2 To take the bait; to be defrauded or duped. archaic, intransitive
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
savvy personskeptic
Example
"[...] Ile tell thee more of this another time. / But fiſh not with this melancholy baite, / For this foole gudgin, this opinion: [...]"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "gudgeon"?
Common synonyms include: arbor, axis, axle, axle bar, axle shaft, axle spindle.
How do you use "gudgeon" in a sentence?
[...] Ile tell thee more of this another time. / But fiſh not with this melancholy baite, / For this foole gudgin, this opinion: [...]
How do you pronounce "gudgeon"?
Pronounced /ˈɡʌdʒən/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
The noun is derived from Late Middle English gojoun [and other forms], from Old French gojon, goujon (“gudgeon”), from Late Latin gōbiōnem, the accusative of gōbiō, the augmentative of Latin gōbius (“gudgeon”), from Ancient Greek κωβῐός (kōbĭós, “fish of the gudgeon kind”), probably of Semitic origin. The English word is a doublet of goby and goujon. The verb is derived from the noun.
Etymology 2
From Middle English gojoun (“metal fitting with a ring at one end”) [and other forms], from Old French goujon (“dowel; pin”) [and other forms], from gouge (“gouge (tool)”) + -on (suffix forming diminutives). Gouge is derived from Late Latin gulbia, gubia (“chisel”), ultimately from Proto-Celtic *gulbā, *gulbīnos (“beak, bill”).