Nose gays
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nosegaynoun
There are five meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun nosegay, two of which are labelled obsolete.
As we celebrate the beauty and charm of nosegays, we invite you to explore the world of floral art and perhaps even create your own personalized bouquet.
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Hansard archive
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license. Modern nosegays often feature a mix of traditional and contemporary elements, with a focus on aesthetics and personal expression.
Nosegays have also found a place in the world of fashion, as they make for beautiful and unique accessories.
After all, nothing says 'I care' quite like a lovingly crafted nosegay.
Meaning of nosegay in English
Wikipedia
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Nosegays became popular gifts during this period, as lovers, friends, and family members would carefully select flowers and herbs to create a meaningful and personalized bouquet.
Hansard archive
About 0.1occurrences per million words in modern written English
| 1750 | 0.58 |
| 1760 | 0.59 |
| 1770 | 0.66 |
| 1780 | 0.75 |
| 1790 | 0.75 |
| 1800 | 0.74 |
| 1810 | 0.75 |
| 1820 | 0.72 |
| 1830 | 0.67 |
| 1840 | 0.71 |
| 1850 | 0.71 |
| 1860 | 0.7 |
| 1870 | 0.66 |
| 1880 | 0.65 |
| 1890 | 0.56 |
| 1900 | 0.48 |
| 1910 | 0.41 |
| 1920 | 0.35 |
| 1930 | 0.29 |
| 1940 | 0.25 |
| 1950 | 0.21 |
| 1960 | 0.17 |
| 1970 | 0.14 |
| 1980 | 0.12 |
| 1990 | 0.11 |
| 2000 | 0.11 |
| 2010 | 0.11 |
nosegay is formed within English, by compounding.
Etymons:nosen., gayn.
Earliest known use
early 1500s
The earliest known use of the noun nosegay is in the early 1500s.
OED's earliest evidence for nosegay is from around 1500, in Assembly of the Gods.
Nearby entries
- nose-driven, adj.1952–
- nose-dropping, adj.1615–
- nose drops, n.1938–
- nose-end, n.c1440–
- nose-ender, n.1854–
- no-see-um, n.1837–
- nose-fish, n.1828
- nose-flute, n.1775–
- nose fly, n.1775–
- nose-fuse, n.1888–
- nosegay, n.c1500–
- nosegay-dance, n.1611
- nosegay flower, n.1600–1855
- nosegay garden, n.1600
- nosegay-maker, n.1597
- nosegay plant, n.1837
- nose gear, n.1959–
- nosegent, n.1567
- nose glasses, n.1890–
- nose gristle, n.Old English–1642
- nose-grown, adj.1611
.
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Today, they continue to be a popular choice for weddings, proms, and other special occasions.
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web.
The charm and allure of nosegays have stood the test of time.
The Victorian era, in particular, witnessed a fascination with the "language of flowers," where each flower and herb held a specific meaning.
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license. Made up of sweet-smelling flowers, herbs, and spices, nosegays were held close to the nose, releasing delightful fragrances that would help counteract the less-than-pleasant scents of the time.
Over time, nosegays evolved from their utilitarian roots and took on a more romantic and symbolic role.