toy

Meanings

Noun

• Something to play with, especially as intended for use by a child.
• A thing of little importance or value; a trifle.
• A simple, light piece of music, written especially for the virginal.
• Love play, amorous dalliance; fondling.
• A vague fancy, a ridiculous idea or notion; a whim.
• An inferior graffiti artist.
• An old story; a silly tale.
• A headdress of linen or wool that hangs down over the shoulders, worn by old women of the lower classes; called also toy mutch.
• A sex toy .

Verb

• To play (with) in an idle or desultory way.
• To ponder or consider.
• To stimulate with a sex toy.

Origin

• From Middle English toye ("amorous play, piece of fun or entertainment"), probably from Middle Dutch toy, tuyg as in Dutch speeltuig ("play-thing, toy"), from Old Dutch *tiug, from Proto-Germanic *teugą ("stuff, matter, device, gear, lever"), from Proto-Germanic *teuhaną ("to lead, bring, pull"), from Proto-Indo-European *dewk- ("to pull, lead"). Cognate with German Spielzeug ("toy"), Danish legetøj ("play-thing, toy"). Related to tug, tow.