gab
1[ gab ]
/ gæb /
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verb (used without object), gabbed, gab·bing.
to talk or chat idly; chatter.
noun
idle talk; chatter.
QUIZZES
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of gab
1First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun gab, gabbe “deceit, falsehood, idle talk”; probably from Old Norse gabba “to mock”; cf. gabble
OTHER WORDS FROM gab
gabber, nounWords nearby gab
Definition for gab (2 of 3)
gab2
[ gab ]
/ gæb /
noun Machinery.
a hook or fork that engages temporarily with a moving rod or lever.
Origin of gab
2First recorded in 1790–95; origin uncertain; possibly from Dutch dialect gabbe “notch, gash”
Definition for gab (3 of 3)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for gab
British Dictionary definitions for gab (1 of 3)
gab1
/ (ɡæb) informal /
verb gabs, gabbing or gabbed
(intr) to talk excessively or idly, esp about trivial matters; gossip; chatter
noun
idle or trivial talk
gift of the gab ability to speak effortlessly, glibly, or persuasively
Derived forms of gab
gabber, nounWord Origin for gab
C18: variant of Northern dialect gob mouth, probably from Irish Gaelic gob beak, mouth
British Dictionary definitions for gab (2 of 3)
gab2
/ (ɡæb) /
noun
a hook or open notch in a rod or lever that drops over the spindle of a valve to form a temporary connection for operating the valve
a pointed tool used in masonry
Word Origin for gab
C18: probably from Flemish gabbe notch, gash
British Dictionary definitions for gab (3 of 3)
GAB
abbreviation for
Gabon (international car registration)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Idioms and Phrases with gab
gab
see gift of gab.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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