Toy \Toy\ (toi), n. [D. tuid tools, implements, stuff, trash,
speeltuig playthings, toys; akin to G. zeug stuff, materials,
MNG. ziuc, Icel. tygi gear; all ultimately from the root of
E. tug, v. t.; cf. G. zeugen to beget, MHG. ziugen to beget,
make ready, procure. See Tug, v. t.]
1. A plaything for children; a bawble. --Cowper.
2. A thing for amusement, but of no real value; an article of
trade of little value; a trifle.
They exchange for knives, glasses, and such toys,
great abundance of gold and pearl. --Abr. Abbot.
3. A wild fancy; an odd conceit; idle sport; folly; trifling
opinion.
To fly about playing their wanton toys. --Spenser.
What if a toy take'em in the heels now, and they all
run away. --Beau. &Fl.
Nor light and idle toys my lines may vainly swell.
--Drayton.
4. Amorous dalliance; play; sport; pastime. --Milton.
To dally thus with death is no fit toy. --Spenser.
5. An old story; a silly tale. --Shak.
6. [Probably the same word.]
A headdress of linen or woolen,
that hangs down over the shoulders, worn by old women of
the lower classes; -- called also toy mutch. [Scot.]
``Having, moreover, put on her clean toy, rokelay, and
scarlet plaid.'' --Sir W. Scott.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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