nosegay

[ nohz-gey ]

noun

1. a small bunch of flowers; bouquet; posy.

nosegay

/ ˈnəʊzˌɡeɪ /

noun

1. a small bunch of flowers; posy

Word History and Origins

Origin of nosegay¹

1375–1425; late Middle English: literally, a gay (obsolete, something pretty; gay ) for the nose (i.e., to smell)

Word History and Origins

Origin of nosegay¹

C15: from nose + archaic gay a toy

Example Sentences

And myself and Louise, tastefully attired and holding small nosegays of seasonal flowers.

From Literature

She was magnificent, pink-fleshed and naked, holding a nosegay of flowers, dark hair streaming as she strode across the cliff.

From Los Angeles Times

Pop tip cuttings into a small vase for a fragrant nosegay.

From Seattle Times

Ms. Zoller walked down the aisle carrying a nosegay of lily of the valley blooms, her grandmother’s favorite, from her own garden.

From New York Times

When they were done, Fern reluctantly contributed her two treasures to the nosegay.

From Literature