Romany
[rom-uh-nee, roh-muh-]
- Gypsy(def 2).
- Gypsies collectively.
- the Indic language of the Gypsies, its various forms differing greatly because of local influences.
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- pertaining to Gypsies, their language, or their customs.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for romany
Historical Examples
Now the mystery of mysteries of which I have spoken in the Romany tongue is this.
The GypsiesCharles G. Leland
I class it with the gypsy, because all who speak it are also acquainted with Romany.
The GypsiesCharles G. Leland
I need not give the Romany which was spoken, but will simply translate.
The GypsiesCharles G. Leland
Me tu sosti, “Thou shalt be (of) me,” is Romany, which is freely used in Shelta.
The GypsiesCharles G. Leland
It was prepared for me by an old, well-known Romany, of full blood.
The GypsiesCharles G. Leland
Romany
Romani
- plural -nies or -nis
- another name for a Gypsy
- (as modifier)Romany customs
- the language of the Gypsies, belonging to the Indic branch of the Indo-European family, but incorporating extensive borrowings from local European languages. Most of its 250 000 speakers are bilingual. It is extinct in Britain
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Word Origin
C19: from Romany romani (adj) Gypsy, ultimately from Sanskrit domba man of a low caste of musicians, of Dravidian origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for romany
Romany
n.
"a gypsy; the Gypsy language," 1812, romani, fem. of romano (adj.) "Gypsy," from rom, the Romany word for "man, husband, male, Gypsy" (plural roma), from Sanskrit domba-s ("with initial cerebral d, which confuses with r" [Klein]) "male member of a low caste of musicians."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper