gudgeon

¹ American  

[guhj-uhn] / ˈgʌdʒ ən /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to dupe or cheat.

gudgeon ² American  

[guhj-uhn] / ˈgʌdʒ ən /

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.

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gudgeon ¹ British  

/ 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

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verb

1. slang (tr) to trick or cheat

gudgeon ² British  

/ 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

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Etymology

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; see origin at gouge

Example Sentences

Mr Gudgeon added that some crew are too afraid to report incidents because they are on contracts and fear they will be blacklisted and unable to get another job.

From BBC • May 14, 2024

Ms Gudgeon believes VW can restore its reputation, just as carmakers Toyota and Lexus have survived their own scandals.

From BBC • Oct. 14, 2015

In Sandridge, England, the widow of Pubkeeper Bert Gudgeon, carrying out his wishes, had a stone beer mug installed on his grave.

From Time Magazine Archive

“This first one’s to Gladys Gudgeon, bless her — huge fan of mine —” The minutes snailed by.

From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling

With all her impudence, and I may say insolence, Mrs. Gudgeon was a great favourite with the police, who were the constant butts of her chaff.

From Aylwin by Watts-Dunton, Theodore