gudgeon

¹

[ guhj-uhn ]

noun

1. a small, European, freshwater fish, Gobio gobio, of the minnow family, having a threadlike barbel at each corner of the mouth, used as bait.
2. any of certain related fishes.
3. a person who is easily duped or cheated.
4. a bait or allurement.

verb (used with object)

1. to dupe or cheat.

gudgeon

²

[ guhj-uhn ]

noun

1. Machinery. a trunnion.
2. a socket for the pintle of a hinge.
3. Nautical. a socket attached to the stern frame of a vessel, for holding the pintle of a rudder.

gudgeon

¹

/ ˈɡʌdʒən /

noun

1. 1. a pivot at the end of a beam or axle
   2. the female or socket portion of a pinned hinge
2. nautical one of two or more looplike sockets, fixed to the transom of a boat, into which the pintles of a rudder are fitted

gudgeon

²

/ ˈɡʌdʒən /

noun

1. a small slender European freshwater cyprinid fish, Gobio gobio, with a barbel on each side of the mouth: used as bait by anglers
2. any of various other fishes, such as the goby
3. bait or enticement
4. slang.
   a person who is easy to trick or cheat

verb

1. slang.
   tr to trick or cheat

Word History and Origins

Origin of gudgeon¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English gogion, gogen, from Old French go(u)jon, from Latin gōbiōn- (stem of gōbiō ), variant of gobius goby

Origin of gudgeon²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English gojoun, gog(e)on, from Old French go(u)jon, perhaps ultimately from Late Latin gu(l)bia a chisel; gouge

Word History and Origins

Origin of gudgeon¹

C14: from Old French goujon, perhaps from Late Latin gulbia chisel

Origin of gudgeon²

C15: from Old French gougon, probably from Latin gōbius; see goby

Example Sentences

Gudgeon eats stickleback, jack-pike eats gudgeon and grows fat, till at last the sturgeon in his armour eats him.

From Project Gutenberg

Barbel, roach, club, and gudgeon are plentiful round the Bell Weir; and trout are often taken.

From Project Gutenberg

Why must we wait till we go abroad before we think of asking for gudgeon?

From Project Gutenberg

A large upright post is placed on a gudgeon, with shafts extending horizontally 15 or 20 feet.

From Project Gutenberg

This forms an abutment for supporting the ladle in the gudgeon band, being secured to this last by latch bolts and cotters.

From Project Gutenberg